Note [1:94:6:2]2. The Purohita or house-priest does not, properly speaking, belong to the number of the priests officiating at a sacrifice (ritvigah), though of course the Purohita could act as a ritvig. Geldner (Vedische Studien, II, 144) seems to be wrong in concluding from our passage that 'already in the Rig-veda the Purohita, being the superintendent of the holy service, was a real ritvig, i. e. officiating priest.' Comp. H. O., loc. cit., 374 Seq.; 379, note 2.

Verse 8.

Note [1:94:8:1]1. On pu'rvah, comp. I, 34, 10; V, 31, 11.

Verse 10.

Note [1:94:10:1]1. The regular accentuation of a determinative compound ('banner of smoke') would be dhumaketuna. But it is very natural that the traditional text gives the accent of the Bahuvrihi ('he whose banner is smoke') which so frequently occurs.

Verse 11.

Note [1:94:11:1]1. As to patatrinah, comp. above, I, 58, 5.

Verse 12.

Note [1:94:12:1]1. Most probably the meaning is not that the Maruts are expected to turn away the anger of somebody else, but that the anger of the Maruts shall be turned away by Agni, Comp. I, 171, I; VI, 66, 5; VII, 58, 5; Bergaigne, Religion Vedique, II, 401. It seems, consequently, that we should read avayata'.--On avayatahelah, scil. Indra, see vol. xxxii, p. 292 (I, 171, 6), and also IV, 1, 4; VI, 66, 5.

The genitives Mitrasya Varunasya may be understood as depending, together with Marutam, on helah. In this case the translation would be: 'He mysteriously turns away the anger of Mitra and Varuna and of the Maruts in order that (men) may get refreshing drink.'

Verse 13.

Note [1:94:13:1]1. On the frequent identification of Agni with Mitra, see Bergaigne, Religion Vedique, III, 134 seq.

Verse 14.

Note [1:94:14:1]1. On the root gar used with regard to Agni, see the remarks of Dr. Neisser in Bezzenberger's Beitrage, XIII, 297 seq.

Verse 15.

Note [1:94:15:1]1. Agni is invoked here by the name of Aditi, with an evident allusion to the goddess Aditi, as granting freedom from bonds, which is the original meaning of Aditi. Comp. M. M., vol. xxxii, pp. 241, 260, 262; H. O., Religion des Veda, p. 204.

Note [1:94:15:2]2. Comp. III, 54, 19. On sarvatat (sarvatati), see M. M.'s note, vol. xxxii, p. 260, note a, and compare Darmesteter, Haurvatat et Ameretat, p. 80. See also Lanman, p. 386.

Verse 16.

Note [1:94:16:1]1. The last hemistich is the regular conclusion of the Kutsa hymns.