Aitareyabrahmana 4.2.p3

4.2.p3

wins shall it be'. They made the course from Agni, the lord of the house, to the sun; therefore the beginning (verse) is addressed to Agni in the Āçvina, 'Agni is the Hotṛ, the lord of the house, he the King.' As to this some say '"Agni, O dear father, Agni friend" with this should he begin; "In the sky the pure, the sacrificial, of the sun" with this as first verse he reaches the goal.' This is not to be regarded. If one were now to say of him 'He has had recourse to "Agni" and "Agni", he will fall into the fire', it would certainly be so. Therefore should he begin with 'Agni is the Hotṛ, the lord of the house, he the King.' It contains (the words) 'lord of the house' and 'generation', and is propitious; with full life for fullness of life, a full life he lives who knows thus.