Bhashya
लब्धानुमतिराह- का साम्न - प्रकृतत्वादुद्गीथस्य,उद्गीथो हि अत्र उपास्यत्वेन प्रकृत , 'परोवरीयांसमुद्गीथम्'इति च वक्ष्यति- गति आश्रय , परायणमित्येतत् ।एवपृष्टो दाल्भ्य उवाच- स्वर इति, स्वरात्मकत्वात्साम्न ।यो यदात्मक स तद्गतिस्तदाश्रयश्च भवतीति युक्तम्, मृदाश्रय इव घटादि ।स्वरस्य का गतिरिति, प्राण इति होवाच, प्राणनिष्पाद्यो हि स्वर , तस्मात्स्वरस्य प्राणो गति ।प्राणस्य का गतिरिति, अन्नमिति होवाच, अन्नावष्टम्भो हिप्राण , 'शुष्यति वै प्राण ऋतेऽन्नात्' इति श्रुते , 'अन्नदाम' इति च ।अन्नस्य का गतिरिति, आप इति होवाच,अप्सम्भवत्वादन्नस्य ॥
In plain words
Having gained permission, he begins: What is the support of the Sāma chant? Since the udgītha is the main subject here—and the text will speak of 'the supreme udgītha'—'gati' means the support or ultimate refuge. Thus questioned, Dālbhya answered: Tone, because the chant is made of tone. Whatever nature a thing has, its resting place corresponds to it, just as a pot rests upon clay. What is the support of tone? Prāna, he said, because tone is produced by prāna. What is the support of prāna? Food, he said, because prāna is sustained by food, as the scripture declares: 'Prāna indeed withers without food.' What is the support of food? Water, he said, because food is born from water.
Close to the Sanskrit
Having obtained permission he says: What is the destination of the Sama chant? Since the udgitha is the subject matter here, the udgitha is commenced as fit for meditation, and the scripture will say 'the supreme udgitha' — 'gati' means support, the ultimate refuge. Thus asked, Dalbhya said: Tone, because the Sama chant has the nature of tone. Whatever has a certain nature, its support and resting place is that, just like a pot and its support, clay. What is the destination of tone? Prana, he said, because tone is produced by prana, therefore prana is the support of tone. What is the destination of prana? Food, he said, because prana is supported by food, as the Sruti says 'Prana indeed withers without food' and 'annam dam'. What is the destination of food? Water, he said, because food originates from water.