Aitareyabrahmana 4.24

4.24

These three three-day periods up to the tenth day, and the two atirātra sacrifices, are what constitutes the twelve-day sacrifice. / For twelve days he is a consecrated sacrificer; he becomes fit for sacrifice through them. / For twelve nights he undertakes the upasad ceremonies; he shakes off the body through them. / Having been one who presses soma for twelve days, / having shaken off the body, pure and cleansed, he unites with the deities, who knows thus. / This twelve-day sacrifice is indeed a thirty-six-day [rite]. / The bṛhatī consists of thirty-six syllables; the twelve-day sacrifice is indeed the course of the bṛhatī; / by the bṛhatī the gods reached these worlds. / With ten syllables they reached this world; with ten, the intermediate space; / with ten, the sky; with four, the four directions; / with two, they established themselves in this world. / He establishes himself who knows thus. / Regarding this they say: / 'Since other metres are larger and have more syllables, / why then do they call this one the bṛhatī (the Great)?' / Because by it the gods reached these worlds. / With ten syllables they reached this world; with ten, the intermediate space; / with ten, the sky; with four, the four directions; / with two, they established themselves in this world. / Therefore they call it the bṛhatī. / He obtains whatever he desires, who knows thus.