If vayâ´ can be used in the sense of offshoot or sprout, we may conclude that the same word, used in the singular, might mean offspring, particularly when joined with tanvẽ. 'Give a branch to our body,' would be understood even in languages less metaphorical than that of the Vedas; and as the prayer for 'olive branches' is a constant theme of the Vedic poets, the very absence of that prayer here, might justify us in assigning this sense to vayâ´m. In VI, 2, 5, the expression vayâ´vantam ksháyam, a house with branches, means the same as nrivántam, a house with children and men. See M. M., On Βίος and váyas, in Kuhn's Zeitschrift, vol. xv, p. 215. Benfey (Endungen in îans, p. 37) takes vayâm as a genitive plural, referring it to the Maruts, as closely connected with each other, like branches of a tree. This is much the same interpretation as that of Mahîdhara (VS. XXXIV, 48), who translates 'come near for the body, i. e. for the bodily strength of the fellows, the Maruts.' Ludwig takes it as a possible instrumental of vayam.

It is preferable, however, to take yâsîshta as a precative Âtm., in order to account for the long î, and to accept it as a third person singular, referring to stómah.

Note 3. Vrigána means an enclosure, a νομός, whether it be derived from vrig, to ward off; like arx from arcere, or from vrig, in the sense of clearing, as in vrikta-barhis, barhíh prá. vriñge, I, 116, 1. In either case the meaning remains much the same, viz. a field, cleared for pasture or agriculture,—a clearing, as it is called in America, or a camp,—enclosed with hurdles or walls, so as to be capable of defence against wild animals or against enemies. In this sense, however, vrigana is a neuter, while as a masculine it means powerful, invigorating. See Preface, p. xx.

Footnotes

205:a Kar in the sense of officiating at a sacrifice is equally construed with a dative, X, 97, 22. yásmai krinóti brâhmanáh, he for whom a Brâhmana performs a sacrifice.

206:a There was a misprint in the Samhitâ text, eshâ´ instead of éshâ´, which was afterwards repeated whenever the same verse occurred again.

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