Kauṣītaki (Śāṅkhāyana) Brāhmaṇa 16.10.23

16.10.23

catuṣṭayā vai paśavaḥ /

cattle are four-footed; verily (they serve) to obtain cattle. They make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. The Çastras contain four calls; the litanies are cattle; cattle are fourfold; moreover cattle are four-footed; verily (they serve) to obtain cattle. The offering verses of the litanies are addressed to two deities; the sacrificer has two feet; (therefore they serve) for support. They make up four; the litanies are cattle; cattle are fourfold; moreover, cattle are four-footed; verily (they serve) to obtain cattle. That of the Maitrāvaruṇa is addressed to Indra and Varuṇa, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Varuṇa; that of the Brāhmaṇācchaṅsin to Indra and Bṛhaspati, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Bṛhaspati; that of the Achāvāka to Indra and Viṣṇu, for his litany is connected with Indra and Viṣṇu. The first and last contain (the words) 'be drunk', for the third pressing is connected with 'be drunk'. They make up three; these worlds are three; verily thus they obtain these worlds. They are Triṣṭubh verses; the Triṣṭubh is might and strength; verily thus they place might and strength in the sacrificer. They say the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations.