Sukta 18
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (often attributed broadly to Atharvan/Angiras circles for alakṣmī-expulsion hymns; specific r̥ṣi assignment depends on anukramaṇī).
Devata: Alakṣmī (as the expelled misfortune) and Bhadrā/Śrī (as the attracted auspicious fortune); also the abstract power of Arāti as obstruction.
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (probable; standard for many AV domestic/apotropaic verses—confirmable by full metrical count in critical edition).
Mantras
Mantra 1
अलक्ष्मीनाशनम्। निर्लक्ष्म्यं ऽ ललाम्यं१ निररातिं सुवामसि । अथ या भद्रा तानि नः प्रजाया अरातिं नयामसि
Ill-fortune, the ominous blemish, and hostile non-giving—these we waft away. Then that which is auspicious, those [good powers] for us—for progeny—we lead on; and we lead away the hostility.
Mantra 2
निररणिं सविता साविषक् पदोर्निर्हस्तयोर्वरुणो मित्रो अर्यमा। निरस्मभ्यमनुमती रराणा प्रेमां देवा असाविषुः सौभगाय
Forth hath Savitar impelled the Arani—forth from the feet; forth from the hands have Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman. Forth from us, Anumati rejoicing: the Gods have set this onward, for our good fortune.
Mantra 3
यत् त आत्मनि तन्वां ऽ घोरमस्ति यद्वा केशेषु प्रतिचक्षणे वा । सर्वं तद्वाचाप हन्मो वयं देवस्त्वा सविता सूदयतु
Whatsoever of thine, within thy self, within thy body, is terrible; or whatsoever is in the hairs, or in the look and aspect—All that do we smite away with speech. May the God Savitar impel thee onward (to safety).
Mantra 4
रिश्यपदीं वृषदतीं गोषेधां विधमामुत। विलीढ्यं ऽ ललाम्यं१ ता अस्मन्नाशयामसि
The Antelope-footed, the Bull-toothed, the Cow-hindering, the Overthrower—yea, and the Licker, the Marked one—those do we from us cause to perish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Alakṣmī is the inauspicious condition—poverty, bad luck, and the ominous ‘blemish’ that blocks prosperity. The hymn treats it as something that can be ritually dislodged and sent away.
These are body-loci where impurity or obstruction is imagined to cling: hands and feet for action and movement, hair and appearance for visible omen and social presence. The recitation targets all these points to remove the ‘ghora’ affliction completely.
Wash hands and feet, stand at the doorway, recite while wafting outward to send away alakṣmī/arāti, then gesture inward to welcome bhadrā/śrī. It is commonly done in the morning or before an important undertaking to establish saubhāgya.