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
ಓ ಅಗ್ನೇ, ಕೃಪಾಳುವಾಗು; ನೀನು ಮಹಾನ್. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಬಾ; ದೇವರನ್ನು ಬಯಸುವ ಜನರ ಬಳಿಗೆ ಸಮೀಪಿಸು, ಪವಿತ್ರ ಬರ್ಹಿಷ್ (ಕುಶ-ಹುಲ್ಲು) ಮೇಲೆ ಆಸನಗ್ರಹಣ ಮಾಡು.
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." }