Instead of the first 5 tense-affixes in the laṭ (Present Tense) coming after the verb bru 'to speak' there may optionally be the affixes of the liṭ (Perfect Tense) ; āha being at the same time the substitute in the room of bru 'to speak'.,
Thus आह 'he says'; आहतुः 'they two say'; आहुः 'they say'; आत्थ 'thou sayst'; आहथुः 'you two say'; the rest like ब्रू as shown below:--
- 3rd person, आह or ब्रवीति, आहतुः or ब्रूतः, आहुः or ब्रुवन्ति
- 2nd person, आत्थ or ब्रवीषि, आहथुः or ब्रूथः, ब्रूत्थ
- 1st person, ब्रवीमि, ब्रूवः, ब्रूमः
The word आदितः 'first' is used in the sutra to indicate that the substitution should not take place in the case of the last four affixes. The repetition of the word ब्रुवः in the sutra indicates the original expression which is to be replaced; and shows that this change occurs in the Parasmaipada affixes only.,