Mantra 6
Viṣṇu’s cosmic stride (trivikrama) as the paradigm of world-order and protection, adapted to Sāman praise within Soma worship
अतो देवा अवन्तु नो यतो विष्णुर्विचक्रमे पृथिव्या अधि सानवि
ato devā avantu no yato viṣṇurvicakrame pṛthivyā adhi sānavi
ató(1) devā́(2) avantu(2) no(2) yató(2) viṣṇúr(2) vicakrame(2) pṛthivyā́(2) adhí(2) sānávī(2)
Therefore may the gods protect us, from that (mighty act) whereby Viṣṇu strode forth upon the summit of the earth.
ataḥ | devāḥ | avantu | naḥ | yataḥ | viṣṇuḥ | vi-cakrame | pṛthivyāḥ | adhi | sānavi
Unknown/unspecified (requires gāna mapping for UA 4.8.2.05.06)
{ "prastava": null, "udgitha": null, "pratihara": null, "upadrava": null, "nidhana": null, "structure_notes": "Often effective to place ‘devā avantu no’ early (prastāva/udgītha) and ‘viṣṇur vicakrame… sānavi’ as the expansive middle leading to a sealing nidhana.", "singer_assignments": "Standard fivefold distribution among prastotṛ/udgātṛ/pratihartṛ with collective nidhana to ‘seal’ protection." }
{ "gloss_summary": "Sāyaṇa connects the request ‘avantu’ to Viṣṇu’s paradigmatic stride; the cosmic measuring is treated as precedent ensuring stability and safeguarding for the sacrificer.", "ritual_interpretation": "By recalling Viṣṇu’s world-establishing act, the stotra secures the ritual space and the yajamāna’s welfare.", "theological_insight": "Divine protection is grounded in cosmic order already measured out; worship aligns the human act with that order.", "etymology_highlights": "vicakrame: ‘stepped out distinctly’ (vi- + cakram); sānavi: ‘ridge/summit’—the high edge of earth, implying elevated stability." }