Aitareyabrahmana 3.45

3.45

The sacrifice indeed departed from the gods as food.
The gods said:
'The sacrifice has departed from us as food; let us seek after this sacrifice, this food.'
They said:
'How shall we seek [it]?' 'By means of the brāhmaṇa and the metres,' they said.
They consecrated the brāhmaṇa with the metres;
they extended that sacrifice to the end; they even made the wives offer the concluding sacrifices.
Therefore even now, at the dīkṣaṇīyā offering, they extend the sacrifice to the end;
they even make the wives offer the concluding sacrifices.
They went down [after it] following its path;
they performed the prāyaṇīya offering.
Through the prāyaṇīya offering they came nearer to it; they hastened with their ritual acts.
They made it end with the śaṃyu [hymn];
therefore even now the prāyaṇīya ends with the śaṃyu.
They went down [after it] following its path;
they performed the ātithya offering.
Through the ātithya offering they came nearer to it; they hastened with their ritual acts.
They made it end with the iḷā; therefore even now the ātithya ends with the iḷā.
They went down [after it] following its path;
they performed the upasad ceremonies.
Through the upasad ceremonies they came nearer to it; they hastened with their ritual acts.
Having recited three kindling verses, they sacrificed to three deities;
therefore even now at the upasad ceremonies, having recited just three
kindling verses, they sacrifice to three deities.
They went down [after it] following its path;
they performed the rite of the fasting day.
They overtook it on the fasting day;
having overtaken it, they extended the sacrifice to the end; they even made the wives offer the concluding sacrifices.
Therefore even now on the fasting day they extend the sacrifice to the end;
they even make the wives offer the concluding sacrifices.
Therefore in these earlier rites one should recite very quietly, as it were,
for they went after it stealthily, as it were.
Therefore on the fasting day one may recite with as much voice as one desires,
for it has then been overtaken.
Having overtaken it, they said:
'Stand firm for our nourishment.'
It said: 'No, how should I stand firm for you?' It merely looked at them.
They said to it:
'Having become yoked together with the brāhmaṇa and with the metres for us, stand firm for nourishment.' It said: 'So be it.'
Therefore even now the sacrifice, having become yoked together, carries the oblation
to the gods by means of the brāhmaṇa and the metres.