Aitareyabrahmana 2.31

2.31

Whatever the gods did at the sacrifice, the asuras did. They were of equal power and did not yield. Then the gods saw this silent praise; the asuras did not follow it. What is silent praise is silent essence. Whatever thunderbolt the gods raised against the asuras, the asuras perceived. Then the gods saw this silent praise as a thunderbolt and raised it against them; the asuras did not perceive it. They hurled it at them and struck them with it unperceived. Then the gods flourished, and the asuras were defeated. He flourishes himself, and his hateful, wicked rival is defeated, who knows thus. Thinking themselves victorious, the gods performed the sacrifice. The asuras came against it, thinking: 'We will cause the destruction of their sacrifice.' They saw them on all sides, rising up and drawn up in battle. They said: 'Let us bring this sacrifice to completion, lest the asuras destroy our sacrifice.' [Saying] 'So be it,' they brought it to completion in the silent praise. With 'Bhūḥ, Agni is light, light is Agni,' they brought it to completion in the ājya and praüga [chants]. With 'Indra is light, Bhuvaḥ, light is Indra,' they brought it to completion in the niṣkevalya and marutvatīya [chants]. With 'Sūrya is light, light, Svaḥ, Sūrya,' they brought it to completion in the vaiśvadeva and agnimāruta [chants]. Thus they brought it to completion in the silent praise; having thus brought it to completion in the silent praise, unharmed, they reached the end through it. The sacrifice is indeed concluded when the hotṛ recites the silent praise. If anyone should speak or mutter after the silent praise is recited, one should say to him: 'He will meet with misfortune. Today, early in the morning, when the silent praise has been recited, we bring this [sacrifice] to completion. Just as one might follow with an action someone who has gone home, so we now follow him.' He indeed incurs that misfortune, who, knowing thus, speaks or mutters when the silent praise has been recited. Therefore, knowing thus, one should not speak or mutter when the silent praise has been recited.