Aitareya-Aranyaka: First Aranyaka, First Adhyâya, First Khanda

1. Now follows the Mahâvrata ceremony.

2. After 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.

3. Some people say: “Let the priest make two (recitations with the offering of the) agya (ghee) on that day,” but the right thing is one.

4. He who desires prosperity should use the hymn, pra vo devayagnaye (Rv. III, 13, 1).

5. He who desires increase should use the hymn, viso viso atithim (Rv. VIII, 74, 1).

6. The people (visah) indeed are increase, and therefore he (the sacrificer) becomes increased.

7. But (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 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).

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, aganma vritrahantamam, “we came near to the victorious,” first.

13. For people worship the whole year (performing the GavAmayana sacrifice) wishing for this day (the last but one)-they do come near.

14. The (next following) three tristichs begin with an Anushtubh. Now Brahman is Gâyatrî, speech is Anushtubh. He thus joins speech with Brahman.

15. He who desires glory should use the hymn, abodhy agnih samidha gananam (Rv. V, 1, 1).

16. He who desires offspring and cattle should use the hymn, hotaganishta ketanah (Rv. II, 5, 1).