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PART THREE
27
1. Preceptor It is said that Brahman once won a
victory for the gods (over the demons). Though the
victory was due to Brahman, the gods became elated by
it, and thought : "Verily this victory has been won by us.
The glory of it is ours".
2. Brahman knew their vanity, and he appeared
before them ; but they did not understand who that
.
adorable Spirit was.
3. They said to Agni (Fire): 0 Jstavedas (all-
knower), find out who this adorable Spirit is.' He agreed.
4. Agni hastened to the Spirit. The Spirit asked
him who he was, and Agni replied : Verily, I am Agni,
the omniscient.'
5. 'What power resides in such as you ?' asked the
Spirit. 'Why, I can burn up everything, whatever
,
there
is
on earth,1 replied Agni,
6. The Spirit put down a straw before him and
said Burn it Agni dashed at it ; but was unable to
burn it. So he returned to the gods, saying, 'I could not
find out who that adorable Spirit is.'
7. Then the gods said to Vayu, (Wind): 0 Vayu,
find out who this adorable Spirit is.' He agreed.
8. Vayu hastened to the Spirit. The Spirit asked
him who he was, and Vayu replied, 'Verily, I am Yap',
the King of air.'
3