MANDALA II, HYMN 5.

ASHTAKA II, ADHYAYA 5, VARGA 26.

1. The brilliant Hotri has been born , the father to protect the fathers , aspiring after noble wealth. May we be able to bridle the strong (horse) .

2. He the leader of the sacrifice towards whom the seven reins (or rays) are stretched, the Potri promotes, as (he has done) for Manu, the divine eighth (rein); all those (reins he promotes) .

3. Or when he has run along, and has recited the sacred words , and has pursued that (duty) , he has encompassed every kind of wisdom as the felly (encircles) the wheel.

4. For He has been born as the bright Prasastri, with bright power of mind. (A man) who knows his firm laws, mounts up on them as on the branches (of a tree) .

5. The lively milch-cows were attached to his, the Neshtri's, (bright) colour . Was it according to the wish of the three sisters who have gone there ?

6. When (coming) from the mother the sister has approached, bringing ghrita , the Adhvaryu rejoices at their coming as corn (rejoices) at rain.

7. May He the Ritvig (priest) himself make the Ritvig (serve) for his own refreshment . And may we readily gain the praise and the sacrifice ; we have offered it.

8. In order that He the knowing one (Agni) may readily serve all the worshipful (gods), this sacrifice, O Agni, which we have performed, rests in thee.

NOTES.

The same Rishi. Metre, Anushtubh.--Verse 3 = SV. I, 94; TS. III, 3, 3, 3; MS. II, 13, 5.

Verse 1.

Note [2:5:1:1]1. As the Hotri is mentioned here, the following verses contain each the names of the other priests as given in II, 1, 2. Only the Agnidh is left out; possibly the words svah sva'ya dha'yase krinuta'm ritvik ritvigam (verse 7) contain an allusion to this priest, who may well be termed the Ritvig belonging to Agni and refreshing him.

Note [2:5:1:2]2. With the first Pada of our verse, compare IX, 64, 10. induh pavishta ketanah.

Note [2:5:1:3]3. The meaning seems to be: Agni, who has protected the fathers, has been born again, and will do the same for the present sacrificer.

Note [2:5:1:4]4. The strong horse, of course, is Agni. Comp. III, 27, 3 (see below). On the construction (vaginah yamam), see Delbruck, Altindische Syntax, p. 417.

Verse 2.

Note [2:5:2:1]1. On the seven rays or reins of Agni, see I, 146, 1, note 1. Besides the seven priests a mysterious eighth Ritvig priest is spoken of (X, 114, 9. kam ritvigam ashtamam su'ram ahuh); thus Agni has a mysterious eighth rasmi (ray or rein) besides the seven. Comp. Bergaigne, Religion Vedique, II, 144.

Verse 3.

Note [2:5:3:1]1. Vokat brahmani: this seems to be an allusion to the Brahman priest (see verse 1, note 1).

Note [2:5:3:2]2. Veh is third singular. See Joh. Schmidt, Kuhn's Zeitschrift, XXV, 91.

Verse 4.