Kauṣītaki (Śāṅkhāyana) Brāhmaṇa 5.6

English (machine translation) 5.6

This sacrificial rite, namely the Sākamedha, belongs to Indra.

Just as a great king, having deployed arrays of his army in front, would follow a path free of danger,

even so he sacrifices to the deities beforehand.

Just as the Mahāvrata is [the chief rite] of the Soma [sacrifice],

even so this is the Mahāvrata of the iṣṭis.

Now, as to why he sacrifices to Agni Anīkavant first among the deities:

Agni is the mouth of the gods.

He thereby gratifies the gods from the mouth [first].

Now, in that he sacrifices at midday to the Maruts Sāṃtapana,

indeed, at midday it burns intensely.

Therefore he sacrifices at midday to the Maruts Sāṃtapana.

Moreover, the Maruts belong to Indra.

Midday belongs to Indra.

Therefore he sacrifices at midday to the Maruts Sāṃtapana.

Now, in that they perform the Gṛhamedhīya in the evening:

This Gṛhamedhīya is an act of nourishment.

Evening is nourishment.

Therefore the two butter portions contain [words denoting] nourishment.

Thereby he causes the sacrificer to prosper.

Now, in that they perform with a full ladle in the morning,

he thereby connects the morning rite with the rite of the previous day.

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