The second half-verse is the same with 15 c, d above. The rendering implies ⌊after nā́ryāi in b⌋ an emendation to upastíre (infinitive), which is the reading of Ppp. The Āpast. text (Wint., p. 71 ⌊MP. i. 8. 1⌋) also has it; further, in a it has idám ā́ bhara, and, in d, iyám inserted before bhágasya. In Kāuç. 78. 1, the verse is directed to be uttered while he (the bridegroom?) brings the hide of a red ox.
22. What rushes (bálbaja) ye cast down, and [what] hide ye spread under, that let the girl (kanyā̀) of good progeny mount, who finds a husband.
Balbaja is the Eleusine indica, a coarse rush-like grass. In Ppp., the parts of vss. 22 and 23, and of 24 and 25, are more or less exchanged. In Kāuç. 78, the second pāda is first quoted (in 2), after our vs. 21; then follows (in 3) a, then (in 4) the first part of vs. 23, then (in 5) our c, then (in 6) the second half of vs. 23, all accompanying the corresponding acts of preparing a seat for the bride, that she may take a Brahman-boy into her lap, to encourage the obtainment of male progeny. It may be that Ppp. follows with its changed order the succession of the acts as given in Kāuç.
23. Spread under the rushes upon the red hide; sitting down upon it, of good progeny, let her worship this fire.
Bp.E. ⌊and SPP's C.⌋ read at the end saparyata. For the use in Kāuç., see the preceding note. The second half-verse is used again in 79. 5, when the bride sits down on the nuptial bed.
24. Mount the hide; sit by the fire; this god slays all the demons; here give birth to progeny for this husband; may this son of thine be of good primogeniture.
The last pāda is used by Kāuç. 78. 8 as the boy is seated in the bride's lap, though unsuited to the purpose unless forced out of its natural meaning. ⌊Cf. Wint., p. 75.⌋ There must be some error in the Anukr. text relating to this verse and vs. 25 (which are triṣṭubh) and vs. 32 (see below).
25. Let there come forth (vi-sthā) from the lap of this mother animals (paçú) of various forms, being born; as one of excellent omen, sit thou by this fire; with thy husband (sámpatnī), be thou serviceable to the gods here.
In Kāuç. 78. 9 this verse accompanies the removal of the boy again from the bride's lap. The verse is a pure triṣṭubh. ⌊W. pencils the note "cf. K. xxxix. 10."⌋
26. Of excellent omen, extender (pratáraṇa) of the houses, very propitious to thy husband, wealful to thy father-in-law, pleasant to thy mother-in-law, do thou enter these houses.
The comm. to Prāt. iii. 60 notes the accent of çvaçrvāí. The verse seems to be overlooked altogether in the Anukr. as we have it; it should be called a 3-p. virāṇ nāma gāyatrī (11 + 11: 11 = 33). It is used in Kāuç. 77. 20 as the bride enters her new abode.
27. Be thou pleasant to fathers-in-law, pleasant to husband, to houses, pleasant to all this clan; pleasant unto their prosperity (puṣṭá) be thou.
Ppp. puts this verse at the end of the book.
