Kauṣītaki (Śāṅkhāyana) Brāhmaṇa 28.6.28

28.6.28

puruṣo vai yajñaḥ /

xxviii. 9. The sacrifice is a man; the Ājya is his speech; speech is one only; therefore he recites the Ājya with one deity only. The Praüga is the breaths; the breaths are many; therefore many deities are celebrated at the Praüga. The Maitrāvaruṇa and the Achāvāka are the two arms; these are twofold; therefore they recite (verses) for two deities at the morning pressing. The Brāhmaṇācchaṅsin is the middle as this navel suture; therefore the Brāhmaṇācchaṅsin at the morning pressing recites (verses) to one deity. The midday (pressing) is the body; it is one only; therefore at the midday the Hotrā reciters recite (verses) to one deity; and the Hotṛ himself the Niṣkevalya. The Maitrāvaruṇa and the Achāvāka are the two thighs; these are twofold; therefore they recite at the third pressing (verses) to one deity. The Brāhmaṇācchaṅsin is the middle as this organ of generation; therefrom two forms arise, female and male; therefore the Brāhmaṇācchaṅsin at the third pressing recites (verses) to two deities. The Brāhmaṇācchaṅsin recites most (verses); the Brāhmaṇācchaṅsin is the body; therefore this middle of the body is the thickest.