The Adhvaryu is he that brings trouble on the sacrificer if he errs, and he that brings trouble himself is ruined before the trouble. "From the formula spoken, guard me, from every execration," with these words he should pour a libation before the morning litany of the Hotr. So the Adhvaryu girds himself in front with a protection, to avert trouble.

"For entry thee, for rest thee, for the overcoming of the Gayatri, of the Tristubh, of the Jagati, hail! O expiration and inspiration, protect me from death, O expiration and inspiration forsake me not."

"For entry thee, for rest thee," he says; entry and rest are the metres; thus by the metres he appropriates his metres. The Ajya Stotras have the word "forward" in them, for conquest. The beginning verses are addressed to the Maruts, for victory. Both the Brihat and the Rathantara Samans are used. The Rathantara is this earth, the Brihat yonder sky. The Rathantara is today, the Brihat tomorrow. The Rathantara is the past, the Brihat the future. The Rathantara is the measured, the Brihat the unmeasured. Vishvamitra and Jamadagni had a quarrel with Vasishtha. Jamadagni saw this Vihavya hymn, and by means of it he appropriated the power and strength of Vasishtha. "One who performs more rites of sacrifice," they say, "wins more of the angels' regard." If the Soma sacrifice on the other side is an Agnishtoma, he should perform an Ukthya; if it is an Ukthya, he should perform an Atiratra; thus by means of rites of sacrifice he becomes better.