History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v2.c26.249

v2.c26.249

¹¹³⁹ अथ यद्यजमानस्यार्षेयमाह न ह वा अनार्षेयस्य देवा हविरश्नन्ति तस्मादमुष्यार्षेयमाह। कौषीतकि ब्रा. III. 2. After the words अग्ने महाँ असि ब्राह्मण भारत are recited, the invoking of the ārṣeya of the sacrificer by the Hotṛ priest takes place and then the remaining words of the formula देवेद्ध मन्विद्ध ऋषिस्तुत &c. are uttered. This is shown by the Tai. S. itself (II. 5. 7. 8) and by the Śat. Br. I. 4. 2.. 2-5. Agni is styled by *ṛṣi* names such as Bhārgava, Cyavana &c. because fire was kindled by these ancient sages and oblations were thrown into it by them. The Adhvaryu recites the mantra अग्निर्दैवो होता देवान् यक्षद्विद्वाँश्चिकित्वान्मनुष्यद्वरतवत् and then recites the pravara of the *yajamāna* with 'vat' added to each name and then proceeds ब्राह्मण्वदा च वक्षद् ब्राह्मणा अस्य यज्ञस्य प्रावितारः (vide Śat. Br. I. 5, 1. 5-13, Āp. Śr. II. 16. 5-11). It is on account of this that the Saṁskāraratnamālā (p. 416) explains *pravara* as प्रब्रियन्ते अग्नेर्विशेषणत्वेनोत्कीर्त्यन्ते इति प्रवराः. The names of the ancient illustrious sages become the attributes of Fire that is invoked by the hotṛ.