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SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
17. Thereon he lays the guhd, and east of it (on the barhis) the upabhrit. Having then put down the dhruvâ, the cake, the parched grain, and the porridge (each east of the preceding one), he touches the oblations.
18. All of them having now become 'sacrificiallyinvested,' the Sacrificer and Brahman (being) thus (invested) walk round (from the east, along the south) to the west side; and the Âgnidhra (from the west) to the east side (of the fire)?
19. They perform this (sacrifice) in a low voice. Secret, indeed, are the fathers, and secret also is (what is spoken) in a low voice: hence they perform (the offering) in a low voice.
20. They perform it in an enclosed place. Secret, indeed, are the fathers, and secret also is that which is enclosed: hence they perform in an enclosed place.
21. While putting firewood (on the fire), he then says (to the Hotri), Recite to the fire, as it is being kindled! Only (this) one kindling-verse the Hotri recites?, (and that) thrice;—the fathers have departed once for all : hence the Hotri recites thrice only one kindling-verse.
22. He recites, 'Loving we deposit thee (O Agni), loving we enkindle thee: O loving one, bring
1 Here he remains standing, while the Sacrificer and Brahman sit down facing the east.
* Instead of the ordinary eleven verses, the first and last of which are recited thrice; see 1, 3, 5, 6. According to Taitt. Br. I, 6, 9, 1, the Adhvaryu summons the Hotri with "Recite to the fire, as it is being kindled for the gods (and) fathers !' The bunch of firewood, with the exception of one stick, which is reserved for the afterofferings, is divided into three parts, one of which is thrown on the fire at the same time when the syllable 'om' is pronounced by the Hotri at the end of the kindling-verse.
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