Third Prapathaka

First Khanda

1. The sun is indeed the honey of the Devas. The heaven is the
cross-beam (from which) the sky (hangs as) a hive, and the bright
vapours are the eggs of the bees.

2. The eastern rays of the sun are the honey-cells in front. The
Rik verses are the bees, the Rig-veda (sacrifice) is the flower, the
water (of the sacrificial libations) is the nectar (of the flower).

3. Those very Rik verses then (as bees) brooded over the Rig-veda
sacrifice (the flower); and from it, thus brooded on, sprang as its
(nectar) essence, fame, glory of countenance, vigour, strength, and
health.

4. That (essence) flowed forth and went towards the sun. And that
forms what we call the red (rohita) light of the rising sun.