Satapatha Bramhana Part 03

SR No.: 007679
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Julius Eggeling
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1894
Total Pages: 2382
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 45 MB

Page 281

252
SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
24. Inside there is a layer of hemp, just for the purpose that it may blaze up. And as to its being a layer of hemp,—the inner membrane (amnion) of the womb from which Pragâpati was born consists of fax, and the outer membrane (chorion) of hemp : hence the latter is foul-smelling, for it is the outer membrane of the embryo. [It is so used] to avoid injury, for the outer membrane does not injure the embryo; and it is from the outer membrane of the embryo that he who is born is born : May he (Agni), when he is born, be born from the outer membrane of the embryo !' thus he thinks.
SECOND BRẬUMANA. 1. Standing he puts it (the pan) on the fire, for the fire-pan is these worlds, and these worlds stand, as it were. And, moreover, whilst standing one is strongest.
2. Standing (with his face) towards north-east, for standing towards north-east Pragàpati created creatures.
3. And, again, why (he does so) standing towards north-east ;— that (quarter), the north-east, is the quarter of both gods and men.
4. And, again, why standing towards north-east, — in that quarter is the gate of the world of heaven, hence it is standing with his face towards northeast that one offers libations, and standing towards north-east that one leads up the dakshinâs : it is by the gate that he thus makes him enter into the world of heaven.
1 That is, underneath the layer of muñga. Both the reed-grass and the hemp are to be crushed and reduced to the condition of powder previously to their being strewed into the fire-pan.
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