Verse 22
Sita
तत्र त्रयीमयं शास्त्रमाद्यं सर्वार्थदर्शनम् । ऋग्यजुःसामरूपत्वात् त्रयीति परिकीर्तिता । कार्यसिद्धेन चतुर्धा परिकीर्तिता । ऋचो यजूंषि सामानि अथर्वाङ्गिरसस्तथा । चातुर्होत्रप्रधानत्वाल्लिङ्गादित्रितयं त्रयी । अथर्वाङ्गिरसं रूपं सामऋग्यजुरात्मकम् ॥२१–२३॥
तत्र । त्रयी-मयम् । शास्त्रम् । आद्यम् । सर्व-अर्थ-दर्शनम् । ऋक्-यजुः-साम-रूपत्वात् । त्रयी इति । परिकीर्तिता । कार्य-सिद्धेन । चतुर्धा । परिकीर्तिता । ऋचः । यजूंषि । सामानि । अथर्व-अङ्गिरसः । तथा । चातुः-होत्र-प्रधानत्वात् । लिङ्ग-आदि-त्रितयम् । त्रयी । अथर्व-अङ्गिरसम् । रूपम् । साम-ऋग्-यजुः-आत्मकम् ।
tatra trayīmayaṃ śāstram ādyaṃ sarvārthadarśanam | ṛgyajuḥsāmarūpatvāt trayīti parikīrtitā | kāryasiddhena caturdhā parikīrtitā | ṛco yajūṃṣi sāmāni atharvāṅgirasas tathā | cāturhotrapradhānatvāl liṅgāditritayaṃ trayī | atharvāṅgirasaṃ rūpaṃ sāmaṛgyajurātmakam ||21–23||
There, the primordial scripture made of the “threefold” (trayī) is that which discloses all aims and meanings. Because it bears the form of Ṛg, Yajus, and Sāman, it is called “trayī.” Yet, for the fulfillment of ritual purposes, it is also spoken of as fourfold: the Ṛc-verses, the Yajus-formulas, the Sāman-chants, and likewise the Atharvaṅgiras. Since the four priestly functions are primary, the threefold is inferred through the triad of marks and the like; and the Atharvaṅgiras form is of the nature of Sāman, Ṛg, and Yajus.
There, the primordial scripture consisting of the ‘threefold’ (trayī) is that which reveals all aims and meanings. Because it has the form of Ṛg, Yajus, and Sāman it is called ‘trayī’. Yet, for the accomplishment of ritual purposes it is also spoken of as fourfold: the Ṛc-verses, the Yajus-formulas, the Sāman-chants, and likewise the Atharvaṅgiras. Since the four priestly functions are primary, the threefold (trayī) is inferred by the triad of indicators and the like; and the Atharvaṅgiras form is of the nature of Sāman, Ṛg, and Yajus.