Sukta 54
Rishi: Atharvanic/Angirasa tradition (as typical for rāṣṭra- and kṣatra-formulas in AV 6; exact r̥ṣi assignment depends on Anukramaṇī).
Devata: Agni-Soma (dual)
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (probable; AV 6 commonly uses anuṣṭubh—confirm by syllable count in critical edition)
AV 6.54 ist ein knappes königlich-staatliches Zauberlied, das Wohlstand (rayi, śrī) mit zwingender, feindbezwingender Sieghaftigkeit (amitra-dambhana) verschweißt, damit der Patron in jedem Zusammenstoß „oben“ bleibt. Es ruft die kriegerisch-opferhafte Achse an — Indras erobernde Kraft und die kṣatra-stützende Macht des Agni–Soma-Paares — um Souveränität, Ressourcen und Vorherrschaft unter politischem Druck zu festigen.
Mantras
Mantra 1
अमित्रदम्भनम्। इ॒दं तद् यु॒ज उत्त॑र॒मिन्द्रं॑ शुम्भा॒म्यष्ट॑ये । अ॒स्य क्ष॒त्रं श्रियं॑ म॒हीं वृ॒ष्टिरि॑व वर्धया॒ तृण॑म्
Demütigung des Feindes. Dies—ja, jenes höhere Anjochen—Indra schmücke ich in Glanz zur Hilfe. Mehre ihm seine königliche Macht, sein großes Gedeihen, wie Regen das Gras wachsen lässt.
Mantra 2
अ॒स्मै क्ष॒त्रम॑ग्नीषोमाव॒स्मै धा॑रयतं र॒यिम्। इ॒मं रा॒ष्ट्रस्या॑भीव॒र्गे कृ॑णु॒तं यु॒ज उत्त॑रम्
Für ihn haltet königliche Macht aufrecht, o Agni-Soma; für ihn bewahrt den Reichtum. Im Ansturm und Zusammenstoß dieses Reiches macht den angeschirrten Verbündeten zum Oberen, zum Sieger.
Mantra 3
सब॑न्धु॒श्चास॑बन्धुश्च॒ यो अ॒स्मां अ॑भि॒दास॑ति । सर्वं॒ तं र॑न्धयासि मे॒ यज॑मानाय सुन्व॒ते
Ob verwandt oder unverwandt: wer uns in Hass angreift — den bringst du mir ganz zur Unterwerfung, dem Opferherrn, der (Soma) auspresst.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is used to strengthen a ruler or patron’s sovereignty (kṣatra), secure prosperity (rayi/śrī), and ensure superiority in confrontations while forcing hostile opponents into submission.
Agni–Soma function as the paired sacrificial powers that legitimize and sustain rule: they ‘hold up’ royal might and wealth and help the patron prevail in the realm’s encounters.
The verses themselves do not require substances; it can be performed as recitation alone. Some traditions may add a simple protective cord or charm as a symbolic support of kṣatra.
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