Page:Atharva-Veda samhita volume 2.djvu/237

693 of the prose is ā́: asmā́kam: ā́॰etoḥ. In every verse, Ppp. omits tvā before diçé (an improvement) and reads dadhmas for dadmas. In the refrain ⌊of every verse, apparently⌋, it has dadhātv adhā for dadātv atha. In this verse it combines diçe agnaye. The metrical description of the Anukr. is very puzzling; the part common to all the verses is 6 + 10: 11 + 11 + 11 = 49 syllables; then the varying parts range ⌊with some resolutions⌋ from 25 to 31 syllables: all together, from 74 to 8o syllables; and atidhṛti is regularly 76, and kṛti 80; but the Anukr., after calling all atidhṛti, appears to call all but one kṛti. The verses are quoted in Kāuç. 63. 22, in connection with the rest of the hymn.

56. To the southern quarter, to Indra as overlord, to the cross-lined [serpent] as defender, to Yama having arrows, we commit thee here; guard ye etc. etc.

57. To the western quarter, to Varuṇa as overlord, to the pṛ́dāku as defender, to food having arrows, we commit thee here; guard ye etc. etc.

58. To the northern quarter, to Soma as overlord, to the constrictor as defender, to the thunderbolt having arrows, we commit thee here; guard ye etc. etc.

59. To the fixed quarter, to Vishṇu as overlord, to the spotted-necked [serpent] as defender, to the herbs having arrows, we commit thee here; guard ye etc. etc.

60. To the upward quarter, to Brihaspati as overlord, to the white [serpent] as defender, to rain having arrows, we commit thee here; guard ye etc. etc.

1. I give [her]—thus should he say, if they have noticed (? anu-budh) her—[I give] the cow (vaçā́) to the priests (brahmán) that ask for her; that brings progeny, descendants.