(four-monthly) rites. And Stuva is the sixth
son of Bhanu. Nisa was the name of another wife
of that Manu who is known by the name of Bhanu.
She gave birth to one daughter, the two Agnishtomas,
and also five other fire-gods. The resplendent
fire-god who is honoured with the first oblations
in company with the presiding deity of the clouds
is called Vaiswanara. And that other fire who
is called the lord of all the worlds is Viswapati,
the second son of Manu. And the daughter of Manu
is called Swistakrit, because by oblations unto her
one acquires great merit. Though she was the
daughter of Hiranyakasipu, she yet became his wife
for her evil deeds. She is, however, one of the
Prajapatis. And that other fire which has its
seats in the vital airs of all creatures and animates
their bodies, is called Sannihita. It is the
cause of our perceptions of sound and form. That
divine spirit whose course is marked with black and
white stains, who is the supporter of fire, and who,
though free from sin, is the accomplisher of desired
karma, whom the wise regard as a great Rishi,
is the fire Kapila, the propounder of the Yoga
system called Sankhya. The fire through whom
the elementary spirits always receive the offerings
called Agra made by other creatures at the
performance of all the peculiar rites in this world
is called Agrani. And these other bright fires
famous in the world, were created for the rectification
of the Agnihotra rites when marred by any defects.
If the fires interlap each other by the action of
the wind, then the rectification must be made with
the Ashtakapala rites in honour of the fire
Suchi. And if the southern fire comes in contact
with the two other fires, then rectification must be
made by the performance of the Ashtakapala
rites in honour of the fire Viti. If the fires
in their place called Nivesa come in contact with the
fire called Devagni, then the Ashtakapala rites
must be performed in honour of the fire Suchi for
rectification. And if the perpetual fire is touched
by a woman in her monthly course, then for rectification
the Ashtakapala rites must be performed in
honour of the fire called Dasyuman. If at the
time of the performance of this Agnihotra rites
the death of any creature is spoken of, or if animals
die, then rectification must be made with the performance
of the Ashtakapala rites in honour of the Suraman
fire. The Brahmana, who while suffering from
a disease is unable to offer oblations to the sacred
fire for three nights, must make amends for the same
by performing the Ashtakapala rites in honour
of the northern fire. He who has performed the
Darsa and the Paurnamasya rites must
make the rectification with the performance of the
Ashtakapala rites in honour of the Patikrit
fire. If the fire of a lying-in room comes in
contact with the perpetual sacred fire, then rectification
must be made with the performance of Ashtakapala
rites in honour of the Agniman fire.’”