Aitareyabrahmana 3.25

3.25

King Soma was in yonder world. The gods and the ṛṣis reflected:
‘How might this King Soma come to us?’
They said to the metres: ‘Bring this King Soma to us.’ ‘So be it [they replied].’
They, having become birds of fair wings, flew up.
Because they, having become birds of fair wings, flew up,
that is what those who know the legends call the Story of the Birds of Fair Wings (Sauparṇa).
The metres, indeed, went after King Soma.
At that time the metres were of four syllables each.
That jagatī of four syllables flew up first.
Having flown, and having traversed half of the distance, she grew weary.
Having dropped three syllables and become monosyllabic,
bringing consecration and ascetic heat, she flew down again.
Therefore, consecration is obtained and ascetic heat is obtained for him who possesses cattle,
for cattle belong to the jagatī, for the jagatī brought them.
Then the triṣṭubh flew up.
Having flown, and having gone beyond half of the distance, she grew weary.
Having dropped one syllable and become trisyllabic, bringing the sacrificial gifts, she flew down again.
Therefore, at midday sacrificial gifts are led along in the realm of the triṣṭubh, for the triṣṭubh brought them.