Aitareya-Aranyaka: Third Aranyaka, First Adhyâya, Fifth Khanda

1. Now those who repeat the Nirbhuga say:

2. “The former half is the first syllable, the latter half the second syllable, and the space between the first and second halves is the Samhita (union).”

3. He who thus knows this Samhita (union), becomes united with offspring, cattle, fame, glory of countenance, and the world of Svarga. He lives his full age.

4. Now Hrasva Mandukeya says: “We reciters of Nirbhuga say, ‘Yes, the former half is the first syllable, and the latter half the second syllable, but the Samhita is the space between the first and second halves in so far as by it one turns out the union (sandhi), and knows what is the accent and what is not, and distinguishes what is the mora and what is not.’”

5. He who thus knows this Samhita (union), becomes united with offspring, cattle, fame, glory of countenance, and the world of Svarga. He lives his full age.

6. Now his middle son, the child of his mother Pratibodhi, says: “One pronounces these two syllables letter by letter, without entirely separating them, and without entirely uniting them]. Then that mora between the first and second halves, which indicates the union, that is the Saman (evenness, sliding). I therefore hold Saman only to be the Samhita (union).”

7. This has also been declared by a Rishi:—

8. “O Brihaspati, they know nothing higher than Saman.” (Rv. 23, 16)

9. He who thus knows this Samhita (union), becomes united with offspring, cattle, fame, glory of countenance, and the world of Svarga. He lives his full age.