Aitareyabrahmana 2.11

2.11

The gods performed the sacrifice. As they were performing it, the Asuras came against them, [thinking:] 'We will make an end of their sacrifice.' When the animal was appeased, they approached in front towards the post, as if before the carrying of fire around [the animal]. The gods, waking up to [this], cast around [themselves] fortresses of fire, a triple fort, for the protection of the sacrifice and of themselves. These fortresses of fire of theirs stood blazing and radiant. Not daring to attack them, the Asuras fled away. With fire they smote away the Asuras and the demons from the east, with fire from the west. In the very same way, when the sacrificers carry fire around, they cast around [themselves] fortresses of fire, a triple fort, for the protection of the sacrifice and of themselves. Therefore they carry fire around; therefore he recites for [the god] around whom fire is carried. That very animal, having been appeased and having had fire carried around it, they lead to the north. They carry a firebrand before it. In its true nature, the animal is the sacrificer, [so that he thinks,] 'With this light, the sacrificer, having a light in front, will go to the heavenly world.' With that light, the sacrificer, having a light in front, goes to the heavenly world. Where they are going to slaughter it, there the adhvaryu throws down sacrificial grass underneath. In that they lead it outside the sacrificial altar, being appeased and having had fire carried around it, they thereby make it sit on sacrificial grass. They dig a burial pit for its belly contents. The belly contents are plants; this [earth] is the foundation of plants; so they finally establish it in its own foundation. Concerning this they say: 'Since this animal is itself the sacrificial offering, yet much of it departs—hairs, skin, blood, hooves, claws, horns, and flesh is dropped—with what is that filled up for it?' In that they offer a sacrificial cake after the animal, with that it is filled up for it. The sacrificial essences went forth from the animals; they became rice and barley, and were born. In that they offer a sacrificial cake after the animal, [they think:] 'May our sacrifice be performed with an animal possessed of sacrificial essence; may our sacrifice be performed with a complete animal.' His sacrifice is performed with an animal possessed of sacrificial essence, his sacrifice is performed with a complete animal, whoever knows thus.