Atharva Veda: Book 6: Hymn 63: The symbolical liberation of a sacrificial victim
Hymns of the Atharva Veda, by Ralph T.H. Griffith, [1895]
1That collar round thy neck, not to be loosened, which Nirriti
the Goddess bound and fastened,
I loose for thy long life and strength and vigour. Eat, liberated,
food that brings no sorrow.
2To thee, sharp-pointed Nirriti, be homage! Loose thou the
binding fetters wrought of iron.
To me, in truth, again doth Yama give thee. To him, to Yama,
yea, to Death, be homage!
3Compassed by death which comes in thousand manners, here
art thou fastened to the iron pillar.
Unanimous with Yama and the Fathers, make this man rise and
reach the loftiest heaven.
4Thou, mighty Agni, good and true, gatherest up all precious
things.
Bring us all treasures as thou art enkindled at libation's place.