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260
SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
makes offering to the deities, but lays out no foreofferings and no after-offerings on either side of the
sacrifice.
23. On the day of preparation they slaughtered the Agnishomiya victim. But the Asuras became aware of this also. The Samishtayagus oblations of this (offering) had not yet been offered, when they arrived; whence people offer no Samishtayagus for this animals-offering). The gods, espying the Asuras, snatched up the sacrifice, and began doing something else. They went away again, thinking, • It is something else they are doing.'
24. On the next morning after they had gone away, they (the gods) spread out (performed) the morning-service (of the Soma-sacrifice). But the Asuras became aware of this also. As much as the morning-service had been performed of it, when they arrived. The gods, espying the Asuras, snatched up the sacrifice, and began doing something else. They went away, thinking, 'It is something else they are doing.'
25. When they had gone, they (the gods) spread out the midday-service. But the Asuras became aware of this also. As much as the midday-service had been performed of it, when they arrived. The gods, espying the Asuras, snatched up the sacrifice, and began doing something else. They went away, thinking, 'It is something else they are doing.'
26. When they had gone, (the gods) went on with the animal-offering of the Soma-sacrifice 1,
1 The portions from the Savanîya pasu, which is slain during the morning-service, continue being cooked until the eveningservice, when they are offered. See IV, 2, 5, 13; and part ii, p. 357, note.
