Jaiminīya (Talavakāra) Brāhmaṇa 2-8.371

2-8.371

On the next day, they seize an animal victim for Prajāpati.
Prajāpati is the highest of the gods;
they thus please the deities starting from the highest.
Whoever, having failed to please the highest, seeks to gain the others—all those of his are unpleased.
Then whoever, having pleased the highest, also pays regard to the others—all those of his are desired and pleased.
Prajāpati is the highest of the gods;
they thus please all the deities starting from the highest.
[It is] white, shaggy, hornless, with a dewlap, having teeth in one jaw, four-footed.
In that it is white and shaggy, that is the form of sheep;
in that it is hornless, that is of horses;
in that it has a dewlap, that is of deer;
in that it has teeth in one jaw, that is of cattle;
in that it is a goat, that is of goats.
This is the sacrificial essence of all animals;
with the sacrificial essence of all animals they thus please the year, the father Prajāpati.
Being pleased, he pleases them.
The gods, desiring prosperity, performed austerities.