Jaiminīya (Talavakāra) Brāhmaṇa 2.258

2.258

It is indeed the highest. For seeing with his two eyes, he goes forward. As to this, they say: 'If the sacrifice were extended upward, only the gods would live, not men. If it were extended downward, only men would live, not the gods.' The sacrifice is extended upward and downward, and also crosswise. Hence, if they should ask, 'Whither directed is the sacrifice?', he should say, 'Upward,' and also 'Downward,' and also 'Crosswise.' He should say, 'In all directions.' For the sacrifice of one who knows thus becomes extended in all directions. The Kurus and Pañcālas held a theological disputation. They came upon a dog lying curled up. They said, 'Let our victory be determined right over this!' Then the Pañcālas asked the Kurus, 'What of the sacrifice is this like?' They did not answer. Vasiṣṭha Caikitāneya said: 'Just as that twenty-first [stoma] lying over yonder, placing itself against the Yajñāyajñīya upon these nine Bahiṣpavamāna verses, so this one lies joining both ends. This sacrificial rite, by means of this resting-posture, attains its form.' Therefore, [they said,] 'Do not bring this useless one!' By that, they won.