You are the Vrātya, Prāṇa, the sole ṛṣi, the consumer of all, the good lord of the universe. We are the givers of what you consume; you, Mātariśvan, are our father.

Vrātya — a mysterious term. Originally it referred to non-orthodox groups, but here has an elevated meaning: Prāṇa is the “outsider,” the one who belongs to no category, the one who transcends all systems.

Ekārṣi — the sole ṛṣi, the only seer. All other ṛṣis derive their vision from Prāṇa. He is the source of all wisdom.

Attā — the eater, the consumer. Prāṇa consumes everything: oxygen, food, experience, even life itself. All is bali (offering) to Prāṇa.

Sat-patiḥ — the lord of the good, of true existence.

Mātariśvan — “the one who grows in the mother,” an epithet of Agni/fire, and by extension of Prāṇa. He is our father (pitā), the origin of all life.

The relationship is clear: we “give” (eat, breathe) so that Prāṇa can “consume.” We are his children, dependent on him, sustained by him.