Kauṣītaki (Śāṅkhāyana) Brāhmaṇa 9.2

9.2.1

so vā etad upavasathe agnau praṇīyamāna āgacchat /

Then she came on the day of preparation when Agni was being led forward.

9.2.2

tām devās tatra abhajanta /

The gods gave her a share there.

9.2.3

tasmād u tatra prathamata eva uccair anubrūyāt / (soma: agni praṇayana)

Therefore, right from the beginning there, he should recite loudly,

9.2.4

yathā enām āgatām anubudhyeran na abhaktām yajñe /

so that they may recognise her who has arrived as not excluded from the sacrifice.

9.2.5

pra devam devyā dhiyā iti pravantam tṛcam prahriyamāṇāya anvāha / (soma: agni praṇayana)

With "Forward the god with divine thought", he recites a triplet containing the word "forward" for [Agni] being carried forward.

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.6

iḍāyās tvā pade vayam iti /

[With] "In the place of Iḍā we [place] thee—"

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.7

iyam vā iḍā /

Iḍā, indeed, is this [earth];

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.8

asyām hi idam sarvam īṭṭe / (soma: agni praṇayana)

for upon her all this thrives.

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.9

jātavedo nidhīmahi iti nihitavatā ardharcena nidhīyamānam anustauti / (soma: agni praṇayana)

With the half-verse containing the word "placed", "—O Jātavedas, would place", he praises him as he is being placed.

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.10

agne viśvebhiḥ svanīka devaiḥ sīda hotaḥ sva u loke cikitvān nihotā hotṛ ṣadane vidāna iti sannavatībhiḥ sannam anustauti / (soma: agni praṇayana)

With the verses containing the word "seated", "O Agni, with all the gods, of fair countenance, sit down, O hotṛ, in your own place, wise; the hotṛ has sat down in the hotṛ's seat, knowing", he praises him when seated.

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.11

tvam dūtas tvam u naḥ paraspā iti dūtavatyā paridadhāti /

With [the verse] containing the word "messenger", "Thou art the messenger, thou our protector beyond", he concludes.

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.12

abhirūpā anvāha / (soma: agni praṇayana)

He recites appropriate [verses].

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.13

yad yajñe abhirūpam tat samṛddham yajñasya eva samṛddhyai /

What is appropriate in the sacrifice is successful, for the success of the sacrifice.

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.14

tā vā aṣṭau bhavanti /

Now they are eight [verses].

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.15

etābhir vai devāḥ sarvā aṣṭīr āśnuvata / (soma: agni praṇayana)

By these, indeed, the gods obtained all attainments.

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.16

tatho eva etad yajamāna etābhir eva sarvā aṣṭīr aśnute /

In the very same way the sacrificer obtains all attainments by these.

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.17

triḥ prathamayā trir uttamayā dvādaśa sampadyante / (soma: agni praṇayana)

By repeating the first three times and the last three times, they amount to twelve.

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.18

dvādaśa vai māsāḥ saṃvatsaraḥ /

Twelve months, indeed, make a year,

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.19

saṃvatsarasya eva āptyai / (soma: agni praṇayana)

for the obtaining of the year.

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.20

tāḥ samanūktā aṣṭādaśa gāyatryaḥ sampadyante /

Recited continuously, they amount to eighteen Gāyatrī verses.

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.21

āgneyam eva chandobhiḥ / (soma: agni praṇayana)

It belongs to Agni by its metres.

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.22

yasya ha kasya ca ṣaṭ samānasya.(?).chandasas tā gāyatrīm abhisampadyante / (soma: agni praṇayana)

Whichever six belong to the same metre, they amount to a Gāyatrī;

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.23

yasya sapta tā uṣṇiham /

which [has] seven, that to an Uṣṇih;

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.24

yasya aṣṭau tā anuṣṭubham /

which [has] eight, that to an Anuṣṭubh;

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.25

yasya nava tā bṛhatīm / (soma: agni praṇayana)

which [has] nine, that to a Bṛhatī;

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.26

yasya daśa tāḥ paṅktim /

which [has] ten, that to a Paṅkti;

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.27

yasya ekādaśa tās triṣṭubham /

which [has] eleven, that to a Triṣṭubh;

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.

9.2.28

yasya dvādaśa tā jagatīm / (soma: agni praṇayana)

which [has] twelve, that to a Jagatī.

ix. 2. He recites for him as he is taken forth the three verses containing ‘forth’, ‘Forth the god with the thought divine.’ ‘Thee in the footstep of the sacrificial food’, he says ; the sacrificial food is this (earth), for in it he praises (īṭṭe) all. He praises him when deposited with the half verse containing (the word) ‘deposit’, ‘O All-knower, we deposit thee.’ He praises him when he has sat down with (the verses ) containing (the word) ‘sit’, ‘O Agni, of fair face, with all the gods’; ‘Sit, O Hotṛ, in thine own place, discerning’, and ‘The Hotṛ in the Hotṛ’s seat, well knowing.’ He concludes with (a verse ) containing the word ‘herald’, ‘Thou art a herald; thou also our protector from afar.’ He recites appropriate verses; what in the sacrifice is appropriate, that is perfect; verily (it serves) for the perfection of the sacrifice. Eight he recites; the Gāyatrī has eight syllables; Agni is connected with the Gāyatrī, and has the Gāyatrī as his metre; verily thus with his own metre they bring Agni forward. (He recites) the first thrice, the third thrice; they make up twelve; the year has twelve months; verily (they serve) to obtain the year. They repeated together make up eighteen Gāyatrī verses; verily by the metre it is connected with Agni. Of whatever even metre there are six , they make up a Gāyatrī; of whatever there are seven, an Uṣṇih, of whatever there are eight an Anuṣṭubh, of whatever there are nine a Bṛhatī, of whatever there are ten a Paṅkti, of whatever there are eleven a Triṣṭubh, of whatever there are twelve (syllables) a Jagatī.