Mantra 21
Sukta 8
अपादग्रे समभवत् सो अग्रे स्व१राभरत्। चतुष्पाद् भूत्वा भोग्यः सर्वमादत्त भोजनम्
apā́d ágre sám abhavat só ágre svàḥ ā́bharat | catúṣpād bhūtvā́ bhogyáḥ sárvam ā́datta bhójanam ||
Footless at first he came to be; he at the first brought heaven’s light. Becoming four-footed, meet for enjoyment, he took to himself all food for eating.
आरम्भ में वह अपाद (बिना पाँव) उत्पन्न हुआ; उसी ने पहले स्वर्ग का प्रकाश (स्वः) धारण किया। फिर चतुष्पाद होकर, भोग्य—भोग के योग्य—बनकर, उसने खाने के लिए समस्त भोजन अपने अधिकार में ले लिया।
Rishi: Atharvanic speculative tradition (uncertain specific attribution).
Devata: Cosmic Person/Principle (proto-Puruṣa/Prajāpati-like), and Puṣṭi (nourishment) implicitly.
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh-like, with irregularities.
{"primary_rasa":"adbhuta","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_arc":"Wonder at origin → reassurance of completion → satisfaction of nourishment.","listener_experience":"A calm mythic confidence that sustenance is lawful and attainable.","intensity":4}