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SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
O thou (Indra), of a hundredfold powers, let us two barter food and drink, like wares !' In like manner as an invitatory prayer is used at offerings) so does he by this (verse) invite him (Indra) to that share.
18. Let him then tell (the Sacrificer) to make a bull roar. 'If it roars,' say some, then that (sound) is the Vashat; let him offer after that Vashat.' And in this way indeed he calls Indra in his own form to the slaying of Vritra'; for the bull is indeed Indra's form : hence he thereby calls Indra in his own form to the slaying of Vritra. If it roars, then one may know that Indra has come to his sacrifice, that his sacrifice is with Indra. And should it not roar, let the priest, seated on the south side (viz. the Brahman), say, Sacrifice !'—this, indeed, is Indra's voice.
19. He offers with the text (Vàg. S. III, 50), Give unto me, (and) I give unto thee. Bestow (gifts) on me, (and) I bestow on thee?! And mayest thou give me guerdon, (and) I will give thee guerdon! Svâhâ !'
20. He then offers a cake on seven potsherds to the sportive (Kridinah) Maruts. For when Indra went forward in order to slay Vritra, the sportive Maruts were sporting around him singing his praises; and even so do they sport around this (Sacrificer), singing his praises, now that he is about to slay his wicked, spiteful enemy: this
1 On the symbolic connection of the seasonal offerings, especially the Sakamedhâh, with the slaying of Vritra, the evil spirit of drought, see II, 6, 4, 1.
. According to Mahîdhara, this first line is spoken by Indra to his worshipper; the second line containing the latter's reply.
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