Mantra 3
Agni as the gracious ritual guest—kindled, seated on the barhis, and invoked to grant welfare and carry offerings
अग्ने मृड महां अस्यय आ देवयुं जनम् इयेथ बर्हिरासदम्
agne mṛḍa mahāṃ asyaya ā devayuṃ janam iyetha barhirāsadam
agne mṛḍa mahāṃ1 asi2 aya3 ā1 devayuṃ2 janam3 iyetha1 barhirāsadam2
يا أَغْنِي، تَحَنَّنْ؛ إِنَّكَ عَظِيمٌ (مَهَان). تَعالَ هاهُنا؛ وَاقْتَرِبْ مِنَ القَوْمِ الطّالِبِينَ لِلآلِهَةِ، وَاجْلِسْ عَلَى البَرْهِس (العُشْبِ المُقَدَّس).
agne | mṛḍa | mahān | asi | aya | ā | devayum | janam | iyetha | barhiḥ-āsadam
{ "prastava": null, "udgitha": null, "pratihara": null, "upadrava": null, "nidhana": null, "structure_notes": "In sāman performance, the invitation segment is often distributed so the response (pratihāra) reinforces the ‘come/approach’ command; nidhana lengthens the ‘seat’ image to establish presence.", "singer_assignments": "Prastotṛ opens the welcome; Udgātṛ sings the main invitation; Pratihartṛ answers to confirm arrival; all stabilize the final seating (nidhana)." }
{ "gloss_summary": "mṛḍa is glossed as sukha-pradaḥ (bestower of welfare); devayuṃ janam is the sacrificer with ṛtvijas intent on the gods; barhir-āsadam is the deity’s ritual seat—barhis.", "ritual_interpretation": "A formal invitation establishing Agni’s presence on the barhis so offerings proceed correctly.", "theological_insight": "Agni’s greatness is compatible with grace: the cosmic fire becomes approachable and benevolent when ritually welcomed.", "etymology_highlights": "mṛḍa—grace/welfare; barhis—sacrificial grass spread as āsana (seat) for deities." }