the Atharvans[288] all
have their Pit_ri_s or Fathers, who are invoked to sit down on the
grass and to accept the offerings placed there for them. Even the name
of Pit_ri_ya_gn_a, sacrifice of the Fathers, occurs already in the
hymns of the Rig-Veda.[289]

The following is one of the hymns of the Rig-Veda by which those
ancient Fathers were invited to come to their sacrifice (Rig-veda X.
15):[290]

1. "May the Soma-loving Fathers, the lowest, the highest,
and the middle, arise. May the gentle and righteous Fathers
who have come to life (again), protect us in these
invocations!

2. "May this salutation be for the Fathers to-day, for those
who have departed before or after; whether they now dwell in
the sky above the earth, or among the blessed people.

3. "I invited the wise Fathers ... may they come hither
quickly, and sitting on the grass readily partake of the
poured-out draught!

4. "Come hither to us with your help, you Fathers who sit on
the grass! We have prepared these libations for you, accept
them! Come hither with your most blessed protection, and
give us health and wealth without fail!

5. "The Soma-loving Fathers have been called hither to their
dear viands which are placed on the grass. Let them
approach, let them listen, let them bless, let them protect
us!

6. "Bending your knee and sitting on my right, accept all
this sacrifice. Do not hurt us, O Fathers, for any wrong
that we may have committed against you, men as we are.

7. "When you sit down on the lap of the red dawns, grant
wealth to the generous mortal! O Fathers, give of your
treasure to the sons of this man here, and bestow vigor here
on us!

8. "May Yama, as a friend with friends, consume the
offerings according to his wish, united with those old
Soma-loving Fathers of ours, the Vasish_th_as, who arranged
the Soma draught.

9. "Come hither, O Agni, with those wise and truthful
Fathers who like to sit down near the hearth, who thirsted
when yearning for the gods, who knew the sacrifice, and who
were strong in praise with their songs.

10. "Come, O Agni, with those ancient fathers who like to
sit down near the hearth, who forever praise the gods, the
truthful, who eat and drink our oblations, making company
with Indra and the gods.

11. "O