'What is the origin of the Sâman?' 'Tone (svara),' he replied. 'What is the origin of tone?' 'Breath,' he replied. 'What is the origin of breath?' 'Food,' he replied. 'What is the origin of food?' 'Water,' he replied.

In plain words: Silaka asked where the chant comes from, and Dalbhya answered step by step. The chant comes from tone, tone comes from breath, breath comes from food, and food comes from water.