Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 1.djvu/193

Rh 2. 'On that altar the Devas offer Soma, the king (the moon). From that oblation rises rain.

1. 'The altar is the earth, O Gautama; its fuel is the year itself, the smoke the ether, the light the night, the coals the quarters, the sparks the intermediate quarters.

2. 'On that altar the Devas (prânas) offer rain. From that oblation rises food (corn, &c.)

1. 'The altar is man, O Gautama; its fuel speech itself, the smoke the breath, the light the tongue, the coals the eye, the sparks the ear.

2. 'On that altar the Devas (prânas) offer food. From that oblation rises seed.

1. 'The altar is woman, O Gautama.

2. 'On that altar the Devas (prânas) offer seed. From that oblation rises the germ.

1. 'For this reason is water in the fifth oblation called Man. This germ, covered in the womb, having dwelt there ten months, or more or less, is born.

2. 'When born, he lives whatever the length of his life may be. When he has departed, his friends carry him, as appointed, to the fire (of the funeral pile) from whence he came, from whence he sprang.