Kauṣītaki (Śāṅkhāyana) Brāhmaṇa 10.9.8

10.9.8

agnir vai devānām manotā /

x. 6. Then he recites the Manotā. All the deities gather towards the victim as it is offered, (thinking) ‘He will utter my name; he will utter my name.’ The minds of all these are woven in the victim; these he delights herein; so it is not in vain that all these have assembled together. They say ‘Since the victims are offered to diverse deities, then why does he accompany that for Agni alone?’ ‘Three are the Manotās of the gods; Agni is the Manotā of the gods, for in him the minds of the gods are woven. Moreover, speech is the Manotā of the gods, for in it are their minds woven. Moreover, the cow is the Manotā of the gods, for in her are their minds woven. All the Manotās are Agni; in Agni the Manotās unite; therefore he accompanies that for Agni only’ (is the answer). They make up thirteen; thirteen are the cuttings of the victim; these he accompanies. (He recites) the first thrice and the last thrice; they make up seventeen; Prajāpati is seventeenfold; that rite is beneficial which is commensurate with Prajāpati. He recites seventeen kindling verses; Prajāpati is seventeenfold; that rite is beneficial which is