OIL SACRED WRITINGS OF THE HINDUS. 417 



The fortieth and last chapter of the Aitarbja 

 Brahman a^ relates to the benefit of entertaining a 

 Purohita, or appointed priest ; the selection of a 

 proper person for that station ; and the mode of 

 his appointment by the king; together with the 

 functions to be discharged by him. The last sec- 

 tion describes rites to be performed, under the di- 

 rection of such a priest, for the destruction of the 

 king's enemies. As it appears curious, the whole 

 description is here translated ; abridging, however, 

 as in other instances, the frequent repetitions 

 with which it abounds. 



' Next then [is described] destruction around 

 air (Brahme)*. Foes, enemies, and rivals, perish 

 around him, who is conversant with these rites. 

 That, which [moves] in the atmosphere, is air 

 (Brahme), around which perish five deities, light- 

 ning, rain, the moon, the sun, and fire. 



' Lightning having flashed, disappears behind 

 rain I : it vanishes, and none know [whither it 

 is gone]. When a man dies, he vanishes; and 

 none know [whither his soul is gone]. There- 

 fore, whenever- lightning perishes, pronounce this 

 [prayer]; "May my enemy perish: may he dis- 

 appear, and none know [where he is]." Soon, in- 

 deed, none will know [whither he is gone]. 



' Rain having fallen, [evaporates and] disappears 

 within the moon, &c. When rain ceases, pro- 

 nounce this [prayer], &c. 



* The moon, at the conjunction, disappears 



* So this observance is denominated, viz. Brahman'ah pari'^ 

 marah. 



t Behind a cloud. 



Vol. VIII. E e 



