Sukta 20
शास इत्था महाँ अस्यमित्रसाहो अस्तृतः । न यस्य हन्यते सखा न जीयते कदा चन
śā́sa itthā́ mahā́n asyā́mitrasā́ho ástṛtaḥ | ná yásya hanyáte sakhā́ ná jī́yate kadā́ cana
Thus is the Chastiser great: this foe-subduer is uninjured. Whose comrade is not slain, he is not conquered—no, not at any time whatsoever.
Rishi: Atharvanic/Angirasa tradition (ascribed by Anukramaṇī for this hymn-cycle; verify per edition).
Devata: Rakṣā/Protective power (often framed as a ‘chastiser’/victorious force against enemies).
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (11/8-based Atharvanic anuṣṭubh style; verify pada-count per pada recension).
{"primary_rasa":"vira","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_arc":"Asserts greatness and invulnerability → links victory to protected companionship → seals perpetual unconquerability.","listener_experience":"Quiet courage and steadiness; uplift without agitation.","intensity":6}