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SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
that same prosperity he attains, whosoever, knowing this, performs this sacrifice. Let him therefore perform this sacrifice.
Sixth ADHYAYA. FIRST BRÂHMANA. 1. Verily, by means of the Great Oblation the gods slew Vritra, and gained that supreme authority which they now wield. And by means of the sacrifice to the fathers they then recalled to life those of them that had been slain in this battle ; and they, indeed, were the fathers: hence the name Pitriyagñal (sacrifice to the Manes).
2. Now the spring, the summer, and the rainy season,--they are those who vanquished (Vritra); and the autumn, the winter, and the dewy season, — they are those whom they (the gods) recalled to life
3. Now when he performs that sacrifice, he does so, hoping that thus they (the Asuras) will not slay any of his, or because the gods did so (perform it). Moreover he thereby offers to those (fathers) the share which the gods assigned to them; and thus he gratifies those whom the gods recalled to life, and leads his own fathers up to a better world; and whatever injury or loss he suffers through his own unrighteous conduct (or wrong sacrificial performance) that is thereby made good to him : that is why he performs this sacrifice (to the fathers).
This is generally called the Mahâpitriyagña, as distinguished from the ordinary monthly Pitriyagña of the new-moon sacrifice; for which see II, 4, 2, I seq.
See II, 1, 3, I seq. • Instead of ákaranena,' the Kânva MS. haskaranéna (!).' Cf. Såyana's interpretation. anukaranena anugamanena ka.'
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