Meaning -
Lord Almighty joins nine pranic energies in proper accord with nine for a long life of hundred years, three in gold, three in silver and three in iron are integrated in accordance with the quality and intensity of nature and character in relation to natural law and discipline. (Gold, silver and iron are concrete versions of the Sattva, Rajas and Tamas variations of personality.) Note: This mantra is a comprehensive foreshadow of all the fourteen verses of the hymn. This sukta presents a symbolic vision of the relation of human personality with nature. It also presents a symbolic interpretation of the three threefold threads of the sacred yajnopavita as our link with life. Prana energisSs all our human faculties at the rational, emotional and instinctive levels. All these three are further classified into sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic levels of high, medium, and low order. The division thus is ninefold. Prana energises all of them in accordance with the character and intensity of each. Basically prana is one as personality too is one. The three sacred threads, each of them threefold, of the yajnopavita symbolise the relationship of the spiritual, intellectual and familial sides of our personality to the divine, educational and procreative sides of life, reminding us of our obligations: worship of God, gratitude to teachers and seniors, and respect to our parents with affectionate service. Just as nine orders of prana are at source one, and nine variations of personality are one, just so the 3x3 threads of the yajnopavita are three circulations of one thread knotted at the point where the beginning and the end of the thread coincide. The knot is known as divine, Brahma knot. Aspects of the life-prana symbolism and the significance of the sacred thread in relation to life and duty are reflected in the mantras.