Aitareyabrahmana 2.4.p9

2.4.p9

ii. 29 (ix. 5). The offerings to the seasons are the breaths; in that they proceed with the offerings to the seasons, verily thus they place the breaths in the sacrificer. Six (priests) offer (saying) ‘With the season’; verily thus they place expiration in the sacrifice; four with ‘With the seasons’ offer; verily thus they place inspiration in the sacrifice; twice with ‘With the season’ later; verily thus they place cross-breathing in the sacrificer. This breath is divided in three ways, expiration, inspiration, and cross-breathing. In that they offer (saying) ‘With the season,’ ‘with the seasons,’ ‘with the season,’ (it is) for the continuity of the breaths, to avoid splitting the breaths. The offerings to the seasons are the breaths; he should not say the second vaṣaṭ for the offerings to the seasons; the seasons are unresting; each (follows) each. If he were to say the second vaṣaṭ for the offerings to the seasons he would bring to rest the unresting seasons; the second vaṣaṭ is an ending. If one were then to say of him ‘He has brought to rest the unresting seasons; it will be an ill season’, it would certainly be so. Therefore he should not say the second vaṣaṭ for the offerings to the seasons.