Adhyāya 5: Soma Sacrifice — Agniṣṭoma

Body of Agni art thou. Thee for Vkh^o. Bodj (tf Soma art thou. Thee for Visb^. Thou art the Guest's Beception. Thee lor Visl^u. Thee fior the Soma-bringing Faloou. Thee for Yishnu. Thee for the giver of abui^uce, Agni. Thee for Yisb^i;.

Birth-plaoe art thou of Agni. Ye are spriaklers. Thou art Urvasi. Thou art Ayu. Thou art Puriiravas. I rub and churn thee with G^jatri metre, i rub and churn thee with the Trishfup metre. I rub and chum thee with the Jagati metre.

Be ye for us one-minded^ be one-thoughted, free from spot

Preserrer from the curse, Son 6i the Bishis, Agni is active

For him who flies around and rushes onward I take thee,.

The priests perform the Apyftyana, the sprinkling of the Sojn^ vriih^ water to nctske it swell. fkadkanoM : according to Hahidbara, receiyer or finder of the one chief prize, i, e, Sozna ; or, knower of the EkadhanaSi, pitchers wHteh hold the waiter which is to be mixed with the Som^

Formulss for the Upasads (senrioes or sieges; ldton*s ' beseeohiag and beaieipxkg'X oflwfHig* butter to Agni, Soma, and Yishnii thrive daily for three days or more. According to the legend, the Asunt or rebel deoumfl) hafing been defeated in battie by the Qods^ made t^iree csato, one of inn on earth, one of silver in mid-air, and one of gold in theisky. Agni at Ihe Gods'rcquea^ m the form of the Upasad dmly entnred and burnt tlta,

He sets apart the earth required for the high altar, addreeeeff and sprinkles it.

Indra's shout guard thee in the front with Vasus. The Wise

Firm art thou, steady thou the earth. ' Furiii-seated art thou,

The priests of him the lofty Priest well-skilled in hymns

Forth through This All strode Vishnu : thrice bis foot he

Rich in sweet food be ye, and rich in milch-kine, with fer-

Heard by the Gods, ye twain, to Gods proclaim it.

Now will I tall the BMgkty daeds of Tkh^H^ oT him who

Either from hea?en or from the earthy Vishnu, or, Vishnu,

For this his mighty deed is Vishnu lauded, like some wild

Thou art the frontlet for the brow Vishnu. Te are the

By impulse of Qod Savitars I take thee with arms of Asvins

Fiend-killing, charm-destroying voice of Vishnu.

Self-ruler art thou, conquering foes. Ruler for ever art

I sprinkle you whom Vishnu owns, killers of fiends and evil

By impulse of God Savitar I take thee with arms (A Asvins,

Prop beaven, fill full the air, on earth stand firmly. Djutana,

Cf Vmh^: he l opg i ng to htm aa goacdian of the sacHftoe. Charm cf fiwffie povnr : vnhgn^ a ooUeokion of honss^ nailsi hair, eto.) tied up hi a

Lover of song, may these our songs encompass thee on every

*rhou art the needle for the work of Indra. Thou art the

All-present art thou, carrying off". Oblation-bearing priest

Tkou art the yearning one, the sage. Anghiri, Bambh^ri

A sea art thou of all-embracing compass. Aja art thou, who

Look ye upon me with the eye of Mitra.

Thou art a light that wears all forms and figures, serving

By goodly paths lead us to riches, Agni, thou God who knowest every sacred duty. ' BemoTO the siu that makes us stray aud wander: most ample adoration will we bring thee. Z7 Wide room and comfort may this Agni give us, and go be^ fore us cleaving down our foeroen .

The Adhraryu lays the fire on the Agnldhra hearth, and in its shed puts down the pressing-stones, tiie Soma-trough, and the Soma vessels, and offers oblation with the text.

Vishnu, stride thou widely forth, give ample room for our

To thee, Qod Savitar, belongs this Soma. Guard him secure-

Agni, Guardian of the Vow, Guardian of the Vow, on

O Vishnu, stride thou widely forth, make ample room for

I hate passed others, not approached to others. On the near

Graze not the skj. Harm not mid-air. Be in accordance with

He addresses the tree as it falls, and as it, as well as the axe, is a thimderbolt, entreats it to spare the three worlds. To grtat fdicUy : as besring a most important part in sacrifice. Hence : from this stump.