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118
SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
on. They disputed about it:--in the front part of the fifth layer) the Vasus, on the right side the Rudras, on the hind part the Adityas, on the left side the Maruts, and above it the Visve Devâs said, 'Here let us lay it down! here let us lay it
down!'
4. They spake,' Let us lay it down in the middle: when laid down in our midst, it will belong to all of us.' They laid it down in the middle (of the fifth layer), and thus they laid that success into the self (or the body of the altar);- in the middle (they laid it): they thus laid that success into the very middle of (Agni's and their own) self. And in like manner does the Sacrificer, when he lays down the Gârhapatya, lay that success into (his own) self; and (by laying it down) in the middle, he lays that success into the very middle of the self.
5. And, again, as to why he lays down the Gârhapatya. The Gârhapatya, doubtless, is food, and this built Agni is an eater: it is to the eater he thus offers that food ;-in the centre (he lays down the Gârhapatya): in the very middle (of the body) he thus lays food into him.
6. And, again, as to why he lays down the Gârhapatya. The world of the gods, doubtless, is the Vedi (altar-ground); but that (original Gârhapatya) is built up outside the Vedi : thus, when he brings it here and lays it down on the fire-altar), he then establishes it (or him, Agni) on the Vedi, in the world of the gods.
7. And, again, as to why he lays down the Gârhapatya. The lotus-leaf', doubtless, is a womb, but
* For the lotus-leaf, which is the first thing laid down in the centre
