Kauṣītaki (Śāṅkhāyana) Brāhmaṇa 15.2.1

15.2.1

atha ṣaḍvidham marutvatīyam śaṃsati /

xv. 2. Then he recites the sixfold Marutvatīya; the year has six seasons; verily (it serves) to obtain the year. He recites the six metres, Anuṣṭubh, Gāyatrī, Bṛhatī, Uṣṇih, Triṣṭubh, and Jagatī. Therefore is it sixfold. With an Anuṣṭubh , 'Thee like a car for aid', he begins the Marutvatīya. The Marutvatīya is the hymn of the Pavamāna; the metre of Soma is the Anuṣṭubh. The explanation of the transposition of the Padas has been given. He recites Gāyatrī verses; Gāyatrī verses are breath; verily thus he places breath in himself. 'This drink, O bright one, is pressed' is the antistrophe , containing the words 'pressed' and 'drink', for it is the hymn of the Pavamāna. 'O Indra, come nearer' is a Pragātha inviting Indra. 'Nearer let us approach', the Maruts said to him encouraging him; he said 'Having conquered and slain Vṛtra, this is my Soma drinking along with you.' This is his Soma drinking along with them. 'Forward now, Brahmaṇaspati' is (a Pragātha) addressed to Brahmaṇaspati and contains (the word) 'Forward'. 'Smite', Brahman said to him, encouraging him; he said, 'Having conquered and slain Vṛtra, this is my Soma drinking along with you.' This is the Soma drinking of Brahman. 'In it give the gods a share', Kauṣītaki used to say. 'In which Indra, Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman, the gods, made their homes', in this are the gods given a share. They say 'In that in there is no strophe nor antistrophe, but an invitation to Indra and (a triplet) addressed to Brahmaṇaspati, then why are they recited repeating them and making them into Kakubh (verses)?' The Sāman singers sing with repetition in the Pavamāna; verily thus is a symbol of it produced. 'Agni, like Bhaga, is leader of the folk' and 'Thou with insight art keen of