Kauṣītaki (Śāṅkhāyana) Brāhmaṇa 8.2.1

8.2.1

etayā nv atra ca cāturmāsyeṣu ca /

viii. 2. With this (verse he concludes) here and in the four-monthly sacrifices; when an animal is offered, after reciting this first he concludes with a Triṣṭubh, 'By the sacrifice the gods sacrificed the sacrifice'; cattle are connected with the Triṣṭubh; verily (it serves) to obtain cattle. (He recites) the first thrice, 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 commensurate with Prajāpati. The two butter portions contain references to the slaying of Vṛtra; verily (they serve) for the slaying of evil; moreover he does not depart from the model of the full moon sacrifice. Some make them contain the word 'guest'; but the rule is that they should contain references to the slaying of Vṛtra. Some say 'They should have Ṛc verses as the offering verses,' stating 'These deities have Ṛc verses as the offering verses in the Upasads.' But the rule is that they should have offering verses with the word 'delighting'. To him that is Soma he sacrifices as Viṣṇu; in that being bought he enters this (universe) as it were, that is his form as Viṣṇu. In that, further, he offers sacrifice to him that is Soma as Viṣṇu, here what in this name is Viṣṇu is to be eaten in yonder name of Soma. Therefore they offer saying 'Soma'; so do they eat. The invitatory and offering verses of the oblation are Triṣṭubh verses; the Triṣṭubh is might and strength; verily thus he confers might and strength upon the sacrificer. The invitatory and offering verses (of the Sviṣṭakṛt offering) are Triṣṭubh verses, addressed to Agni, containing (the words) 'guest' and 'chariot', 'The Hotṛ of the sacrifice, of brilliant