Sukta 31
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (exact r̥ṣi attribution varies by anukramaṇī; commonly Atharvan/Angiras-type for such domestic formulas).
Devata: Āśāpāla (‘Guardian of Hopes’), a functional divine epithet; possibly a high god construed as fulfiller/protector of intentions.
Chandas: Mixed/irregular; predominantly Tr̥ṣṭubh-like cadence with Atharvanic flexibility (requires pada-count verification against the anukramaṇī).
Mantras
Mantra 1
पाशमोचनम्। आशानामाशापालेभ्यश्चतुर्भ्यो अमृतेभ्यः । इदं भूतस्याध्यक्षेभ्यो विधेम हविषा वयम्
Loosening of the noose. Unto the Āśās, unto the warders of Āśā, the four Immortals—to the overseers of the creature—this oblation here would we duly offer.
Mantra 2
य आशानामाशापालाश्चत्वार स्थन देवाः । ते नो निरृत्याः पाशेभ्यो मुञ्चतांहसो अंहसः
Ye who are warders of the Quarters—four Gods, stand ye firm: from Nirṛti’s nooses do ye release us, from distress, from distress.
Mantra 3
अस्रामस्त्वा हविषा यजाम्यश्लोणस्त्वा घृतेन जुहोमि । य आशानामाशापालस्तुरीयो देवः स नः सुभूतमेह वक्षत्
Unwearied, with oblation I worship thee; unimpaired, with clarified butter I pour to thee. The God who is the Guardian of our hopes, the Fourth—may he bring us here to prosperous well-being.
Mantra 4
स्वस्ति मात्र उत पित्रे नो अस्तु स्वस्ति गोभ्यो जगते पुरुषेभ्यः । विश्वं सुभूतं सुविदत्रं नो अस्तु ज्योगेव दृशेम सूर्यम्
Welfare be to our Mother, and to our Father welfare; welfare to the kine, to the moving world, to men. Let all be well-established, well-bestowing unto us; long as it were, may we behold the Sun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Āśāpāla means “Guardian of Hopes.” In this hymn it is a divine power that protects intentions, stabilizes prosperity, and brings the desired well-being into the household.
Nirṛti represents misfortune and dissolution. Her “nooses” are a metaphor for binding distress—constraints, ill-luck, peril, or affliction—from which the hymn asks to be released.
The hymn seeks “subhūti,” a state of auspicious thriving (health, success, prosperity), and it seals the blessing with a longevity prayer: “may we long behold the Sun.”