AITAREYA- RANYAKA.
FIRST RANYAKA.
FIRST ADHY YA.
FIRST KHANDA.
1Now follows the Mahâvrata ceremony.
2After having killed Vritra, Indra became great. When he became great, then there was the Mahâvrata (the great work). This is why the Mahâvrata ceremony is called Mahâvrata.
3Some people say: 'Let the priest make two (recitations with the offering of the) âgya (ghee) on that day,' but the right thing is one 1.
4He who desires prosperity should use the hymn, pra vo devâyâgnaye (Rv. III, 13, 1).
5He who desires increase should use the hymn, viso viso atithim (Rv. VIII, 74, 1).
6The people (visah) indeed are increase 1, and therefore he (the sacrificer) becomes increased.
7But (some say), there is the word atithim (in that hymn, which means a guest or stranger, asking for food). Let him not therefore take that hymn. Verily, the atithi (stranger) is able 2 to go begging.
8'No,' he said, 'let him take that hymn.
9'For he who follows the good road and obtains distinction, he is an atithi (guest) 3.
10'They do not consider him who is not so, worthy to be (called) an atithi (guest).
11'Therefore let him by all means take that hymn.' 12. If he takes that hymn, let him place the (second) tristich, âganma vritrahantamam, 'we came near to the victorious,' first.
13For people worship the whole year (performing the Gavâmayana sacrifice) wishing for this day (the last but one)--they do come near.
14The (next following) three tristichs begin with an Anushtubh 4. Now Brahman is Gâyatrî, speech is Anushtubh. He thus joins speech with Brahman.
15He who desires glory should use the hymn, abodhy agnih samidhâ ganânâm (Rv. V, 1, 1).
16He who desires offspring and cattle should use the hymn, hotâganishta ketanah (Rv. II, 5, 1).