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II KÂNDA, 6 ADHYAYA, I BRÂHMANA, 33.
431
31. He makes an under-layer of butter in the offering-spoon); then cuts a piece from (the front part of) the cake, and therewith some of the parched grain and the porridge; puts down all this at the same time; and makes two sprinklings of butter thereon. The (places from which he has made the) cuttings he does not replenish with butter, nor does he walk across; but having stepped up (to the fire) on the same side (where he was seated), and called for the 'Sraushat,' he says, ' Pronounce the offeringprayer to Agni Kavyavahana!' and pours out the oblation, as soon as the Vashat has been uttered.
32. Now the reason why he does not walk across (to the ordinary place of offering), but pours out the oblation after stepping up to the fire) on the same side, is that the fathers have departed once for all; and the reason also, why he cuts but once from each of the sacrificial dishes, is that the fathers have departed once for all. And the reason why in making the cuttings, he keeps them together, is that the fathers are the seasons ;—he thus keeps the seasons together, joins them to one another : that is why in making the cuttings, he keeps them together.
33. Here now some hand over that entire (remaining) porridge to the Hotri; and the Hotri, having invoked it?, smells it and hands it to the
According to the comm. on Kâty. V, 9, 13, 'manthah' is, in that case, substituted for 'ida' in the invocation, see I, 8, 1, 19 seq. The Kânva MS. has as follows: Thereupon, by way of idâ, they place that same porridge into the hand of the Hotri. The Hotri, having invoked it, smells it. They hand it to the Agnidhra. The Agnidhra smells it. They hand it to the Brahman. The Brahman smells it. As to this Asuri said, 'As from any other oblation they cut off the "id" and the fore-portion, so let them cut off and smell,
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