Aitareyabrahmana 4.27

4.27

The metres covetously eyed one another's abode.
The gāyatrī covetously eyed the abode of the triṣṭubh and of the jagatī;
the triṣṭubh [covetously eyed that] of the gāyatrī and of the jagatī; the jagatī [covetously eyed that] of the gāyatrī and of the triṣṭubh.
Then Prajāpati saw this twelve-day sacrifice with transposed metres; he brought it forth;
he sacrificed with it; by means of it he brought all desires to the metres.
He attains all desires who knows this.
He transposes the metres for [their] freshness.
He indeed transposes the metres.
Just as yonder [men] travel by continually unyoking with other and other, less tired and less tired horses or oxen,
even so by continually unyoking with other and other, less tired and less tired metres do they go to the heavenly world,
in that he transposes the metres.
These two worlds were together; they separated.
It did not rain, it did not heat properly, the five peoples did not agree.
The gods brought them together; coming together, they contracted this divine marriage.
With the rathaṃtara this [earth] delights that [sky]; with the bṛhat that [sky delights] this [earth].
With the naudhasa this [earth] delights that [sky]; with the śyaita that [sky delights] this [earth].
With smoke this [earth] delights that [sky]; with rain that [sky delights] this [earth].
This [earth] placed the place of divine worship in that [sky]; that [sky placed] cattle in this [earth].
This [earth] placed the place of divine worship in that [sky], namely this dark spot, as it were, in the moon.
Therefore they sacrifice in the waxing fortnites, seeking to obtain this very [favour].
That [sky placed] saline soil in this [earth].
Regarding this Tura Kāvaṣeya said: 'Saline soil is nourishment, O Janamejaya!'
Therefore even now those who examine cattle ask:
'Is there saline soil there?'; for saline soil is nourishment.
Yonder world turned toward this world;
thence heaven and earth came to be, not heaven from the intermediate space, nor earth from the intermediate space.