Aitareyabrahmana 2.17

2.17

A hundred [verses] should be recited for one who desires a full lifespan. A man has a lifespan of a hundred [years], a hundredfold virility, a hundredfold sensory power; he thus establishes him in life, virility, and sensory power. Three hundred and sixty [verses] should be recited for one who desires sacrifice. Three hundred and sixty are the days of the year; of such extent is the year; the year is Prajāpati; Prajāpati is the sacrifice. Sacrifice inclines to him for whom, knowing this, [the hotṛ] recites three hundred and sixty. Seven hundred and twenty [verses] should be recited for one who desires offspring and cattle. Seven hundred and twenty are the days and nights of the year; of such extent is the year; the year is Prajāpati, in whose procreation this entire manifold form is reproduced. Along with Prajāpati thus procreating, he is procreated with offspring and cattle; for procreation, he is procreated with offspring and cattle, who knows this. Eight hundred [verses] should be recited for one spoken ill of as a non-brāhmaṇa, or who sacrifices having been spoken of with evil speech and seized by defilement. The gāyatrī has eight syllables; by means of the gāyatrī the gods struck off evil and defilement. By means of the gāyatrī he strikes off his evil and defilement; he strikes off evil, who knows this. A thousand [verses] should be recited for one who desires the heavenly world. The heavenly world is a thousand days' journey on horseback from here; [it is] for the attainment, achievement, and reaching of the heavenly world. An unlimited number should be recited. Prajāpati is unlimited. This morning litany is Prajāpati's uktha; in it all desires are secured. That he recites an unlimited number is for securing all desires; he secures all desires, who knows this. Therefore an unlimited number should indeed be recited. He recites seven metres sacred to Agni. There are seven worlds of the gods; he succeeds in all the worlds of the gods, who knows this. He recites seven metres sacred to the Dawn. There are seven domestic animals; he secures domestic animals, who knows this. He recites seven metres sacred to the Aśvins. In seven ways speech spoke; so far did speech speak; [it is] for grasping all speech, all brahman. He recites [verses addressed to] three deities. These are three threefold worlds; [it is] for the conquering of these very worlds.