________________
I 2
SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
a dog is driven away: he thus drives away that - (dog) when he gives a staff as dakshina. This, indeed, is the prescribed dakshina ; but he may give anything else besides, of such other (objects meet for) dakshinâs as may be at his disposal. This, doubtless, is an offering relating to cattle: he may perform it even though (the moon) was not seen (at his New-moon sacrifice).
Sixth BRÂHMANA. 1. Verily, in the beginning this (universe) was water, nothing but a sea of water. The waters desired, “How can we be reproduced ?' They toiled and performed fervid devotions, when they were becoming heated, a golden egg was produced. The year, indeed, was not then in existence: this golden egg floated about for as long as the space of a year.
2. In a year's time a man, this Pragâpati, was produced therefrom; and hence a woman, a cow, or a mare brings forth within the space of a year; for Pragâpati was born in a year. He broke open this golden egg. There was then, indeed, no restingplace: only this golden egg, bearing him, floated about for as long as the space of a year.
3. At the end of a year he tried to speak. He said 'bhah': this (word) became this earth ;
bhuvah': this became this air ;- svah': this became yonder sky. Therefore a child tries to
1 Or, they toiled and became heated (with fervid devotion). For this cosmological legend, see J. Muir, Original Sanskrit Texts, iv, p. 34.
Digitized by Google
