Mantra 40

Sukta 3

Sanskrit (Devanagari)

त्रीणि पदानि रुपो अन्वरोहच्चतुष्पदीमन्वैतद् व्रतेन । अक्षरेण प्रति मिमीते अर्कमृतस्य नाभावभि सं पुनाति

IAST Transliteration

trī́ṇi padā́ni rupó ánv arohac cátuṣpadīm ánvaitád vraténa | ákṣareṇa práti mimīte arkám ṛtásya nā́bhāv abhí sáṃ punāti

English Translation (Griffith/Whitney)

Three steps the Form ascended, following after; the four-footed measure followed this by holy ordinance. With the imperishable syllable he metes the chant in counterpoise; upon the navel of Order he wholly makes purification.

Translation

那“形相”（rūpa）登升三步，随之而上；四足的度量依此以圣誓（vrata）而行。以不坏的音节（akṣara），他衡量颂歌（arka）使之相称；在真理之序（ṛta）的脐轮之上，他使净化圆满成就。

Word by Word

त्रीणिthree

पदानिsteps/footprints/places

रुपःRupa (a named being/agent)

अन्वारोहत्followed by mounting/ascended after

चतुष्पदीम्the four-footed (one)

अनुafter, along

एतत्this

व्रतेनby a vow/observance

अक्षरेणby the syllable/imperishable (word)

प्रतिtowards, in return, against

मिमीतेmeasures out

अर्कम्hymn/chant; ray (of sun)

ऋतस्यof ṛta (cosmic order/truth)

नाभाwith/at the navel (as center)

अभिtowards, over

सम्together, completely

पुनातिpurifies

Attribution

Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (funerary book attribution).

Devata: Ṛta / Brahman (as order and imperishable syllable); implicitly Viṣṇu-like ‘three steps’ imagery, but framed as ritual measure.

Chandas: Mixed/triṣṭubh tendency; internal ‘four-footed’ self-reference suggests metrical consciousness.

Mantra Rasa

{"primary_rasa":"adbhuta","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_arc":"Wonder at cosmic measure (three steps/four feet) resolving into deep calm of purification at ṛta’s center.","listener_experience":"Awe at hidden structure, followed by centered clarity.","intensity":6}