Aitareyabrahmana 2.1.p2

2.1.p2

ii. 1 (vi. 1). By means of the sacrifice the gods went upwards to the world of heaven; they were afraid, ‘Seeing this of us men and seers will track us.’ Them they obstructed by means of the sacrificial post; in that they obstructed them by means of the post, that is why the post has its name. Having fixed it point down, they went upwards. Then men and seers came to the place of sacrifice of the gods, ‘Let us seek something to track the sacrifice.’ They found the post only, established with point downwards. They perceived, ‘By this the gods have blocked the sacrifice.’ Having dug it out they fixed it upwards; then did they discern the world of heaven. In that the post is fixed upright, (it is) to track the sacrifice, to reveal the world of heaven. The post is a thunderbolt; it should be made of eight corners; the bolt is eight-cornered. This he hurls as a weapon at the rival who hates him, to lay him low who is to be laid low by him. The post is a bolt; it stands erect as a weapon against the foe. Therefore also to him who hates there is displeasure in seeing, ‘This is N.N.’s post, this is N.N.’s post.’ Of Khadira wood should he make the post who desires heaven; by means of a post of Khadira the gods won the world of heaven; thus verily also the sacrificer by a post of Khadira wins the world of heaven. Of Bilva should he make the post, who desires proper food and desires prosperity. Year by year is Bilva taken; this is the symbol of proper food. It should be covered with branches up to the root, this is (the symbol) of prosperity. He prospers in offspring and cattle who knowing thus makes the post of Bilva. Now as to (his using) Bilva, they say ‘Bilva is light’; a light he becomes among his own people, he becomes the chief of his own people, who knows thus. Of Palāça should he make the post, who desires brilliance and desires splendour. The Palāça is the brilliance and splendour of the trees; brilliant and resplendent he becomes