Sukta 3
अरात्यास्त्वा निरृत्या अभिचारादथो भयात्। मृत्योरोजीयसो वधाद् वरणो वारयिष्यते
arā́tyās tvā nírr̥tyā́ abhícārād átho bhayā́t | mṛtyór ójīyaso vadhā́d váruṇo vārayiṣyate ||
From hostility, from Nirṛti, from sorcery, and also from fear; from Death’s mightier stroke of slaughter—Varuṇa shall ward thee off.
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (protective hymn attribution varies).
Devata: Varuṇa (averting/warding); implicit antagonists: Nirṛti, Mṛtyu.
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh
{"primary_rasa":"vira","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_arc":"From confrontation with threats to steady courage under Varuṇa’s guard","listener_experience":"Strengthened spine, reduced dread, sense of being defended","intensity":6}