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276
VEDIC HYMNS.
MS. IV, 11, 1; 12, 5. Verse 4 = TB. III, 6, 9, 1; MS. IV, 13, 5.
Verse 1. Note 1 Possibly the poet intended to allude also to the other meaning of aktúbhih, which means both ointments' and 'nights.' The nights render Agni conspicuous and anoint (ang) him as it were with beauty. I do not believe that the existence of a Vedic word aktú,‘ointment,' should be denied ; cf. Bechtel, Nachrichten d. Göttinger Ges. d. Wiss. 1894, p. 398.
Verse 3. Note 1. See Bergaigne, Religion Védique, II, 14. Prof. Max Müller translates : Three lives are thine, the dawns are thy three birthplaces, or three dawns are thy birthplaces.
Verse 4. Note 1. See above, I, 58, 7, note i.
Verse 5. Note 1. Literally, doubly. Grassmann is right in observing that the Vedic poets show a certain predilection for the word dvitá when speaking of Agni's being established and doing his work at the sacrifice. Prof. Max Müller thinks of Agni's two homes, earth and heaven.
Note 2. On the Hotri more ancient than Agni, comp. Bergaigne, Religion Védique, I, 109. Probably this simply refers to the Agni or the fire used at former sacrifices.
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