Mantra 16
Sukta 10
अपाङ् प्राङेति स्वधया गृभीतोऽमर्त्यो मर्त्येना सयोनिः । ता शश्वन्ता विषूचीना वियन्ता न्य१न्यं चिक्युर्न नि चिक्युरन्यम्
apā́ṅ prā́ṅ eti svadháyā gṛbhītó ’mártyo mártyenā́ sayóniḥ | tā́ śáśvantā viṣūcī́nā viyántā ní ’nyáṃ cikyúr ná ní cikyur anyám ||
Backward and forward he moveth, seized by Svadhā: the Immortal, by the mortal, of one common womb. Those twain, enduring ever, diverging and parting, have known the one the other; yet the other they have not known.
Rishi: Traditionally associated with Atharvanic seers; in this speculative section often treated as Brahman/ṛṣi of brahmavidyā (edition-dependent).
Devata: Brahman / Vāc (implicit), or the cosmic principle expressed as the dyad.
Chandas: Triṣṭubh-like cadence (as transmitted; metrical classification varies in AV scholia for this hymn).
{"primary_rasa":"adbhuta","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_arc":"Wonder at paradox (knowing/not-knowing) resolving into quiet contemplation.","listener_experience":"A sense of depth and mystery; softening of fear; inward turn toward the witness.","intensity":5}