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MANDALA III, HYMN 7.
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7. With the five Adhvaryus the seven priests watch the beloved footstep which the bird has madel. Turned forwards the never-ageing bulls rejoice: for they, being gods, have followed the laws of the gods.
8=III, 4, 7.
9. The many (mares) are full of desire for the mighty stallion. For the manly, bright one, the reins easily direct (the horses). Divine Hotri! Thou who art a great joy-giver and wise, bring hither the great gods and the two worlds.
10. The dawns, O wealth-giver, the mighty sacrificers', well spoken and bright have shone with wealth. And by the earth's greatness?, O Agni, forgive us even committed sin, that we may be great.
11 = III, 1, 23.
NOTES.
The same Rishi and metre. No verse of this hymn occurs in the other Samhitas.
Verse 1. Note l. On the meaning of this difficult verse conjectures only can be given. The white-backed one may be Agni. If this is right, "they who have risen out of Agni's drink,' may be Agni's rays or flames (ye rasmayah ... prakarshenodgakkhanti, Sâyana); these flames enter upon the two mothers, i.e. Heaven and Earth, and upon the seven sounds, the sacrificial songs which are identified with the terrestrial and celestial seven rivers (comp. above, III, 1, 6). All this rests on the supposition that the traditional text is correct. Now Ludwig remarks with reference
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