1. The teachers of Brahman (Veda) declare, as the Pratah-savana
(morning-oblation) belongs to the Vasus, the Madhyandina-savana
(noon-libation) to the Rudras, the third Savana (evening-libation) to
the Adityas and the Visve Devas,
2. Where then is the world of the sacrificer? He who does not know
this, how can he perform the sacrifice? He only who knows, should
perform it.
3. Before the beginning of the Prataranuvaka (matin-chant), the
sacrificer, sitting down behind the household altar (garhapatya), and
looking towards the north, sings the Saman, addressed to the Vasus:
4. “Open the door of the world (the earth), let us see thee, that we
may rule (on earth).”
5. Then he sacrifices, saying: “Adoration to Agni, who dwells on the
earth, who dwells in the world! Obtain that world for me, the
sacrificer! That is the world for the sacrificer!”
6. “I (the sacrificer) shall go thither, when this life is over.
Take this! (he says, in offering the libation.) Cast back the bolt!”
Having said this, he rises. For him the Vasus fulfil the morning
oblation.
7. Before the beginning of the Madhyandina-savana, the
noon-oblation, the sacrificer, sitting down behind the Agnidhriya
altar, and looking towards the north, sings the Saman, addressed to the
Rudras:
8. “Open the door of the world (the sky), let us see thee, that we
may rule wide (in the sky).”
9. Then he sacrifices, saying: “Adoration to Vayu (air), who dwells
in the sky, who dwells in the world. Obtain that world for me, the
sacrificer! That is the world for the sacrificer!”
10. “I (the sacrificer) shall go thither, when this life is over.
Take this! Cast back the bolt!” Having said this, he rises. For him the
Rudras fulfil the noon-oblation.
11. Before the beginning of the third oblation, the sacrificer,
sitting down behind the Ahavantya altar, and looking towards the north,
sings the Saman, addressed to the Adityas and Visve Devas:
12. “Open the door of the world (the heaven), let us see thee, that
we may rule supreme (in heaven).” This is addressed to the Adityas.
13. Next the Saman addressed to the Visve Devas: “Open the door of
the world (heaven), let us see thee, that we may rule supreme (in
heaven).”
14. Then he sacrifices, saying: “Adoration to the Adityas and to the
Visve Devas, who dwell in heaven, who dwell in the world. Obtain that
world for me, the sacrificer!”
15. “That is the world for the sacrificer! I (the sacrificer) shall
go thither, when this life is over. Take this! Cast back the bolt!”
Having said this, he rises.
16. For him the Adityas and the Visve Devas fulfil the third
oblation. He who knows this, knows the full measure of the sacrifice,
yea, he knows it.