Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa ("of a hundred paths") 1.9.3.11

1.9.3.11

tadu taddivi viṣṇurvyakraṃsta | jāgatena candasā tato nirbhakto yo 'smāndveṣṭi yaṃ ca vayaṃ dviṣmo 'ntarikṣe viṣṇurvyakraṃsta traiṣṭubhena candasā tato nirbhakto yo 'smāndveṣṭi yaṃ ca vayaṃ dviṣmaḥ pṛthivyāṃ viṣṇurvyakraṃsta gāyatreṇa candasā tato nirbhakto yo 'smāndveṣṭi yaṃ ca vayaṃ dviṣmo 'smādannādasyai pratiṣṭhāyā ityasyāṃ hīdaṃ sarvamannādyam pratiṣṭhita tasmādāhāsmādannādasyai pratiṣṭhāyā iti

By (or, from) the escape (of the enemies) indeed the conquering gods formerly gained first the sky, and then this aërial expanse; and thereupon they drove their enemies away from this (earth), whence there was no escape. And in like manner he (the priest) also by the escape (of the enemies) gains first the sky, and then this aërial expanse; and thereupon he drives his enemies away from this (earth), whence there is no escape. This earth indeed is a firm footing: hence he thereby stands firm on this firm footing.