Mantra 38
Sukta 4
यो वेहतं मन्यमानोऽमा च पचते वशाम्। अप्यस्य पुत्रान् पौत्रांश्च याचयते बृहस्पतिः
yó véhataṃ mányamāno ’mā́ ca pácate vaśā́m | ápy asya putrā́n pautrā́ṃś ca yā́cayate bृहáspátiḥ ||
Whoso, deeming a barren cow fit, doth cook the Vashā at home,—Bṛhaspati, moreover, bringeth even his sons and grandsons to beggary.
Rishi: Traditionally Atharvanic/Angirasa transmission (specific r̥ṣi attribution varies by anukramaṇī for AV 12.4).
Devata: Bṛhaspati (as punitive guardian of brahman and social order).
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (4×8, with Atharvanic flexibility).
{"primary_rasa":"bhayankara","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_arc":"Warning → dread of consequence → sober restraint.","listener_experience":"A moral chill: prosperity feels contingent on correct conduct; encourages caution and deference to tradition.","intensity":6}