Aitareyabrahmana 1.2

1.2

The sacrifice departed from the gods; they sought to dispatch it by means of the sacrifices. Because they sought to dispatch it by means of the sacrifices (iṣṭi), that is why sacrifices are called iṣṭi. They found it; having found the sacrifice, he prospers who knows thus. Oblations (āhuti) are indeed called āhutis because by them the sacrificer calls (hvayati) the gods; that is the nature of oblations. Furthermore, they are called ūtayaḥ ('aids') because by them the gods come to the call of the sacrificer. The paths, the tracks, they are indeed the ūtayaḥ; and they become the sacrificer's paths leading to heaven. Concerning this they say: 'Since another pours the libation, why do they call him the hotṛ priest who both recites and recites the offering verse?' In that he there invites the deities according to their apportioned share, saying, 'Bring that one here! Bring that one here!', that is the priesthood of the hotṛ priest. He becomes a hotṛ priest, and they call him a hotṛ priest, who knows thus.