Aitareyabrahmana 2.10

2.10

The adhvaryu says: 'Recite for the Manotā over the sacrificial offering that is being portioned out!' He recites the hymn: 'You, O Agni, are the first Manotā.' Concerning this they say: 'When the animal belongs to another deity as well, then why does he recite [verses] addressed to Agni alone for the Manotā over the sacrificial offering that is being portioned out?' The gods indeed have three Manotās, for in them their minds are woven. Speech is indeed the Manotā of the gods, for in it their minds are woven; the cow is indeed the Manotā of the gods, for in it their minds are woven; Agni is indeed the Manotā of the gods, for in him their minds are woven. Agni is all the Manotās; in Agni the Manotās unite. Therefore he recites [verses] addressed to Agni alone for the Manotā over the sacrificial offering that is being portioned out. With, 'O Agni and Soma, of the sacrificial offering set forth,' he offers the offering verse for the sacrificial offering. With 'of the sacrificial offering,' it is congruous in form; with 'set forth,' it is congruous in form. His sacrificial offering reaches the gods endowed with all prosperities, whoever knows thus. He offers to Vanaspati. Vanaspati is the breath; his sacrificial offering reaches the gods living, where, knowing thus, he offers to Vanaspati. He offers to Sviṣṭakṛt. Sviṣṭakṛt is the foundation; in the foundation he thereby finally establishes the sacrifice. He invokes the iḷā. The iḷā is cattle; he thereby invokes cattle, and places cattle in the sacrificer—places [them].