Shatapatha Brahmana 11.6.3.4

11.6.3.4

sa hovāca kati devā yājñavalkyeti trayaśca trī ca śatā trayaśca trī ca sahasretyomiti hovāca katyeva devā yājñavalkyeti trayastriṃśadityomiti hovāca katyeva devā yājñavalkyeti traya ityomiti hovāca katyeva devā yājñavalkyeti dvāvityomiti hovāca katyeva devā yājñavalkyetyadhyardha ityomiti hovāca katyeva devā yājñavalkyetyeka ityomiti hovāca katame te trayaśca trī ca śatā trayaśca trī ca sahasreti

He said, 'How many gods are there, Yâgñavalkya?'--'Three hundred and three, and three thousand and three,' he replied.--'Yea, so it is!' he said. 'How many gods are there really, Yâgñavalkya?'--'Thirty-three.'--'Yea, so it is!' he said. 'How many gods are there really, Yâgñavalkya?'--'Three.'--'Yea, so it is!' he said. 'How many gods are there really, Yâgñavalkya?'--'Two.'--'Yea, so it is!' he said. 'How many gods are there really, Yâgñavalkya?'--'One and a half.'--'Yea, so it is!' he said. 'How many gods are there really, Yâgñavalkya?'--'One.'--'Yea, so it is!' he said. 'Who are those three hundred and three, and three thousand and three?'