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IX KANDA, 3 ADHYAYA, 3 BRAHMANA, II. 219 him; and by cattle, for his food, he thus consecrates him.
8. He then offers whilst mentioning names1;for the gods, having obtained all their wishes, now gratified him directly; and in like manner does the Sacrificer, having obtained all his wishes, now gratify him directly. 'To Strength, hail! to Gain, hail' these are his (Agni's) names: it is by mentioning his names that he thus gratifies him.
9. There are thirteen of these names, a year consists of thirteen months, and the layers and fillings of the fire-altar amount to thirteen: as great as Agni is, as great as is his measure, with so much he thus gratifies him. And as to why he offers while mentioning names, it is thus in mentioning his (Agni's) names that he consecrates him.
10. He then says, 'This is thy realm; a supporter and sustainer art thou for the friend: for sustenance, for rain, for the lordship of creatures (do I consecrate) thee;'-sustenance, doubtless, means food, and rain means food: by food he thus gratifies him.
11. And when he says, 'This is thy realm; a supporter and sustainer art thou for the friend: for sustenance, for rain, for the lordship of creaturesthee!' this is to say, 'This is thy kingdom; thou art consecrated (anointed)! thou art thy friend's supporter and sustainer: for our sustenance art thou, for rain unto us art thou, for our lordship of
1 This set of thirteen libations (XVIII, 28) is offered to the months Vaga, Prasava, &c., here apparently considered as manifestations of Agni (the year). Each name is followed by 'svâhâ (hail); and the last of these dedicatory formulas is followed by the special benedictory formula, referred to in paragraph 10.
