Kauṣītaki (Śāṅkhāyana) Brāhmaṇa 2.9

2.9.1

tad u ha sma āha kauṣītakiḥ /

Concerning that, Kauṣītaki used to say:

2.9.2

sāyam astamite purā tamasas tasmin kāle juhuyāt /

In the evening, when [the sun] has set, before the darkness [falls], at that time he should offer.

2.9.3

sa deva yānaḥ ketuḥ / (agnihotra)

That is the banner leading to the gods.

2.9.4

tam eva ārabhya svasti svargaṃl lokam eti /

Taking hold of it, he goes safely to the heavenly world.

2.9.5

prātaḥ purodayād apahate tamasi tasmin kāle juhuyāt / (agnihotra)

In the morning, before sunrise, when the darkness has been driven away, at that time he should offer.

2.9.6

sa deva yānaḥ ketuḥ /

That is the banner leading to the gods.

2.9.9

tam eva ārabhya svasti svargaṃl lokam eti /

Taking hold of it, he goes safely to the heavenly world.

2.9.8

atha yo ato anyathā agnihotram juhoti / (agnihotra)

Now, whoever offers the Agnihotra otherwise than this,

2.9.9_2

śyāma śabalau ha asya agnihotram vikhidataḥ /

the dark and the speckled [dogs] tear away his Agnihotra.

2.9.10

ahar vai śabalaḥ /

The day is the speckled,

2.9.11

rātriḥ śyāmaḥ / (agnihotra)

the night is the dark.

the dark night. He who offers in the midnight,[*] the dark rends apart his Agnihotra; he who offers in the afternoon, the dappled rends apart his Agnihotra. Therefore assuredly whenever he may offer he should have regard to the prosperity of the offering.'

2.9.12

sa yo mahā rātre juhoti /

He who offers in the deep night,

the dark night. He who offers in the midnight,[*] the dark rends apart his Agnihotra; he who offers in the afternoon, the dappled rends apart his Agnihotra. Therefore assuredly whenever he may offer he should have regard to the prosperity of the offering.'

2.9.13

śyāmo ha asya agnihotram vikhidati /

the dark [dog] tears away his Agnihotra.

the dark night. He who offers in the midnight,[*] the dark rends apart his Agnihotra; he who offers in the afternoon, the dappled rends apart his Agnihotra. Therefore assuredly whenever he may offer he should have regard to the prosperity of the offering.'

2.9.14

atha yo mahā ahne juhoti /

And he who offers in broad daylight,

the dark night. He who offers in the midnight,[*] the dark rends apart his Agnihotra; he who offers in the afternoon, the dappled rends apart his Agnihotra. Therefore assuredly whenever he may offer he should have regard to the prosperity of the offering.'

2.9.15

śabalo ha asya agnihotram vikhidati / (agnihotra)

the speckled [dog] tears away his Agnihotra.

the dark night. He who offers in the midnight,[*] the dark rends apart his Agnihotra; he who offers in the afternoon, the dappled rends apart his Agnihotra. Therefore assuredly whenever he may offer he should have regard to the prosperity of the offering.'

2.9.16

tad vai khalu yadā eva kadācana juhuyāt /

However, whenever he may offer,

the dark night. He who offers in the midnight,[*] the dark rends apart his Agnihotra; he who offers in the afternoon, the dappled rends apart his Agnihotra. Therefore assuredly whenever he may offer he should have regard to the prosperity of the offering.'

2.9.17

huta samṛddhim eva upāsīta iti huta samṛddham eva upāsīta iti / (agnihotra)

he should attend only to the proper fulfilment of the offering—he should attend only to that which is properly offered.

the dark night. He who offers in the midnight,[*] the dark rends apart his Agnihotra; he who offers in the afternoon, the dappled rends apart his Agnihotra. Therefore assuredly whenever he may offer he should have regard to the prosperity of the offering.'