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HYMNS OF THE ATHARVA-VEDA.
23. These waters, free from disease, destructive of disease, do I bring here. The chambers do I enter in upon in company with the immortal Agni (fire).
24. Do thou not fasten a fetter upon us; though a heavy load, become thou light! As a bride do we carry thee, O house, wherever we please.
25. From the easterly direction of the house reverence (be) to greatness, hail to the gods who are to be addressed with hail !
26. From the southerly direction of the house, &c. ! 27. From the westerly direction of the house, &c.! 28. From the northerly direction of the house, &c. !
29. From the firm direction (nadir) of the house, &c. !
30. From the upright direction (zenith) of the house, &c. !
31. From every direction of the house reverence (be) to greatness, hail to the gods who are to be addressed with hail !
VI, 71. Brahmanical prayer at the receipt of
gifts. 1. The varied food which I consume in many places, my gold, my horses, and, too, my cows, goats, and sheep: everything whatsoever that I have received as a gift-may Agni, the priest, render that an auspicious offering !
2. The gift that has come to me by sacrifice, or without sacrifice, bestowed by the Fathers, granted by men, through which my heart, as it were, lights up with joy-may Agni, the priest, render that an auspicious offering!
3. The food that I, O gods, improperly consume,
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