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IX KÂNDA, 4 ADHYÂYA, 2 BRÂHMANA, 20. 239
to Varuna. When Pragâpati was dismembered, his strength departed from him. When the gods restored him they, by this (oblation), bestowed strength upon him ; and in like manner does this (Sacrificer) bestow it upon him. With a verse addressed to Varuna (he offers),-Varuna is the ruling power, and ruling power means strength: it is thus by strength that he bestows strength upon him.
17. (He offers, with, Vâg. S. XVIII, 49], 'For this I appeal to thee, worshipping thee with prayer,'—that is, 'For that I beseech thee, worshipping thee with prayer ;'-'for this the Sacrificer imploreth thee with offerings,'--that is, for this, this Sacrificer implores thee with offerings ;'without wrath listen thou here, O Varuna!' —that is, 'without anger listen thou here to us, O Varuna !'-'take not our life from us, O farruler!'-he thereby gives utterance to a surrender of his own self.
18. He then offers the Arkâsvamedha-santati? oblations. The light (arka), doubtless, is this fire (Agni), and the Asvamedha (horse-sacrifice) is yonder sun--when created, these two were separate: by means of these oblations the gods drew them together and connected them; and in like manner does this (Sacrificer), by means of these oblations, now draw them together and connect them.
19 [He offers, with, Vâg. $. XVIII, 50], Heaven-like heat, hail!'-the heat, doubtless, is yonder sun; he thus establishes yonder sun in Agni.
20. 'Heaven-like flame, hail!'--the flame is
* That is, the joining together of the fire and the horse-sacrifice.
