Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa ("of a hundred paths") 2.5.3.20

2.5.3.20

atha marudbhyaḥ krīḍibhyaḥ | saptakapālam puroḍāśaṃ nirvapati maruto ha vai krīḍino vṛtraṃ haniṣyantamindramāgataṃ tamabhitaḥ paricikrīḍurmahayantastatho evaitam pāpmānaṃ dviṣantam bhrātṛvyaṃ haniṣyantamabhitaḥ parikrīḍante mahayantastasmānmarudbhyaḥ krīḍibhyo 'thāto mahāhaviṣa eva tadyathā mahāhaviṣastatho tasya

He then offers a cake on seven potsherds to the sportive (Krîdinah) Maruts. For when Indra went forward in order to slay Vritra, the sportive Maruts were sporting around him singing his praises; and even so do they sport around this (Sacrificer), singing his praises, now that he is about to slay his wicked, spiteful enemy: this is why (he sacrifices) to the sportive Maruts. Thereupon (follows the performance) of the Great Oblation (Mahâ-havis): this (performance) is in accordance with that of the great (seasonable) oblation.