Mantra 39
Sukta 8
यदन्तरा द्यावापृथिवी अग्निरैत् प्रदहन् विश्वदाव्यः । यत्रातिष्ठन्नेकपत्नीः परस्तात् क्वेऽवासीन्मातरिश्वा तदानीम्
yád antárā dyā́vā-pṛthivī́ agnír áit pradáhan viśvadāvyàḥ | yátrātiṣṭhann éka-patnīḥ parástāt kvè ’vāsīn mātáriśvā́ tadā́nīm ||
When, between Heaven and Earth, the Fire went forth, burning on, a universal conflagration—where then stood the faithful wives beyond; where, indeed, was Mātariśvan at that season?
Rishi: As per AVŚ 10.8 speculative tradition (variable in anukramaṇī)
Devata: Agni; Mātariśvan (as carrier of Agni/breath)
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (approx.)
{"primary_rasa":"adbhuta","secondary_rasa":"bhayankara","emotional_arc":"Awe at cosmic fire → suspenseful fear → stabilizing inquiry.","listener_experience":"A charged, mythic intensity that becomes manageable through naming and questioning.","intensity":6}