Maitrāyaṇīya Āraṇyaka 4.5

4.5

te hocu̍rbha̱gava̍nna̱bhivā̍dya̱sītya̱bhivā̍dya̱sīti̱ nihi̍tama̱smābhi̍retadya̱thāva̍duktaṃ
mana̱sītya̱thotta̍raṃ p̱raśnama̍nubrū̱hītya̱gnirvāyu̱rādi̍tya̱ḥ kālo̍ yaḥ prā̱ṇo'nnaṃ ḇrahmā
rudro vi̍ṣṇu̱rityeke̍'nyama̱bhidhyā̍ya̱ntyeke̍'nyam̐ śre̱yaḥ kata̍mo̱ yaḥ so'smā̍kaṃ
brū̱hīti̱ tānho̍vā̱ceti̍

They said: 'Revered Sir, you are to be saluted, you are to be saluted! This that was properly spoken has been laid up in our mind. Now answer the further question: Agni, Vāyu, Āditya, Time, which is vital breath, Food, Brahmā, Rudra, Viṣṇu—some meditate upon one, some upon another; which of these is best for us? Tell us that.' He said to them: