Aitareyabrahmana 4.9

4.9

aśvatarīrathenāgnir ājim adhāvat, tāsām prājamāno yonim akūḷayat,
tasmāt tā na vijāyante
gobhir aruṇair Uṣā ājim adhāvat,
tasmād Uṣasy āgatāyām aruṇam ivaiva prabhāty, Uṣaso rūpam
aśvarathenendra ājim adhāvat,
tasmāt sa uccairghoṣa upabdimān kṣatrasya rūpam, aindro hi sa
gardabharathenāśvinā udajayatām, Aśvināv āśnuvātāṃ.
yad Aśvinā udajayatām Aśvināv āśnuvātāṃ,
tasmāt sa sṛtajavo dugdhadohaḥ, sarveṣām etarhi vāhanānām anāśiṣṭho.
retasas tv asya vīryaṃ nāharatāṃ, tasmāt sa dviretā vājī
tad āhuḥ: sapta sauryāṇi chandāṃsi śaṃsed,
yathaivāgneyaṃ yathoṣasyaṃ yathāśvinaṃ.
sapta va, devalokāḥ, sarveṣu devalokeṣu rādhnotīti
tattan nādṛtyaṃ.
trīṇy eva śaṃset.
trayo vā ime trivṛto lokā, eṣām eva lokānām abhijityai
tad āhur:
ud u tyaṃ jātavedasam iti sauryāṇi pratipadyeteti
tat-tan nādṛtyaṃ.
yathaiva gatvā kāṣṭhām aparādhnuyāt, tādṛk tat
sūryo no divas pātv ity etenaiva pratipadyeta.
yathaiva gatvā kāṣṭhām abhipadyeta, tādṛk tad
ud u tyaṃ jātavedasam iti dvitīyaṃ śaṃsati
citraṃ devānām ud agād anīkam iti traiṣṭubham.
asau vāva citraṃ devānām udeti, tasmād etac chaṃsati
namo mitrasya varuṇasya cakṣasa iti jāgataṃ.
tad v āśīḥpadam, āśiṣam evaitenāśāsta ātmane ca yajamānāya ca

iv. 9 (xvii. 3). By means of a mule chariot Agni ran the race; as he drove on he burned their wombs; therefore they conceive not. With ruddy cows Uṣas ran the race; therefore, when dawn has come, there is a ruddy glow; the form of Uṣas. With a horse chariot Indra ran the race; therefore it as neighing aloud and resounding is the symbol of lordly power; for it is connected with Indra. With an ass chariot the Açvins won, the Açvins attained; in that the Açvins won, the Açvins attained, therefore is his speed outworn, his energy spent; he is here the least swift of all beasts of burden; but they did not take the strength of his seed; therefore has he virility and

possesses a double seed. ‘Seven metres should he use in reciting to Sūrya’, they say, ‘as in (the recitations) to Agni, Uṣas, and the Açvins; the worlds of the gods are seven; he prospers in all the worlds of the gods.’ That is not to be regarded. Three only should he use in recitation; three are these threefold worlds; (they serve) to win these worlds. They say ‘He should begin those for Sūrya with “Up this all-knower”.’ That is not to be regarded. That would be as if one having gone should miss the goal. He should begin with ‘Let Sūrya protect us from the sky’; that is as if one having gone should reach the goal. He recites second ‘Up this all-knower’. ‘The radiant countenance of the gods hath come forth’ is a Triṣṭubh. Yonder (sun) rises as the radiant one of the gods; therefore he recites this. ‘Homage to the eye of Mitra and Varuṇa’ is in Jagatī; this has a Pada containing a benediction; verily thus he invokes a benediction for himself and the sacrificer.