History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c89.30

v7.c89.30

In the Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa there is a similar reference to the appeasing power of the śamī branch. "He (the priest) places fuel sticks on this (Agni) ... He places (on Agni) a fuel stick of śamī as the first This (Agni) was kindled when this oblation (of śamī branch) was offered and flamed upwards. The gods became afraid of him (Agni) lest Agni. might harm them. They (gods) saw this śamī branch and appeased him (Agni) with that; inasmuch as they appeased this (Agni) by means of śamī (branch) this is called śamī. In the same way this sacrificer appeases with śamī this (Agni) for procuring appeasement and not for food".¹¹⁴⁸ It would be noticed that here the name 'samī' is derived from the root 'śam' and it is the means of effecting śānti (appeasement).