Sukta 17
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (hymn-unit attribution varies; commonly treated as Atharvan/Bṛghu-Aṅgiras milieu)
Devata: Viśvakarman (with the Seven Ṛṣis as protective associates)
Chandas: Mixed/prose-like Atharvanic cadence (often treated as anuṣṭubh-like in parts, but not strictly metrical)
Mantras
Mantra 1
सुरक्षा। अग्निर्मा पातु वसुभिः पुरस्तात् तस्मिन् क्रमे तस्मिंछ्रये तां पुरं प्रैमि । स मा रक्षतु स मा गोपायतु तस्मा आत्मानं परि ददे स्वाहा
Good protection: let Agni with the Vasus guard me in front. In that step I step; in that I take refuge; to that fortress I go forth. Let him protect me, let him watch over me; to him I wholly give myself—svāhā.
Mantra 2
वायुर्मान्तरिक्षेणैतस्या दिशः पातु तस्मिन् क्रमे तस्मिंछ्रये तां पुरं प्रैमि । स मा रक्षतु स मा गोपायतु तस्मा आत्मानं परि ददे स्वाहा
May Vāyu, with the mid-air, guard me from this quarter. In that I step; in that I take refuge; unto that stronghold I go forth. May he protect me; may he watch over me: to him I wholly commit my very self—svāhā.
Mantra 3
सोमो मा रुद्रैर्दक्षिणाया दिशः पातु तस्मिन् क्रमे तस्मिंछ्रये तां पुरं प्रैमि । स मा रक्षतु स मा गोपायतु तस्मा आत्मानं परि ददे स्वाहा
May Soma, with the Rudras, guard me from the southern quarter. In that I step; in that I take refuge; unto that stronghold I go forth. May he protect me; may he watch over me: to him I wholly commit my very self—svāhā.
Mantra 4
वरुणो मादित्यैरेतस्या दिशः पातु तस्मिन् क्रमे तस्मिंछ्रये तां पुरं प्रैमि । स मा रक्षतु स मा गोपायतु तस्मा आत्मानं परि ददे स्वाहा
May Varuṇa, with the Ādityas, guard me from this quarter. In that I step; in that I take refuge; unto that stronghold I go forth. May he protect me; may he watch over me: to him I wholly commit my very self—svāhā.
Mantra 5
सूर्यो मा द्यावापृथिवीभ्यां प्रतीच्या दिशः पातु तस्मिन् क्रमे तस्मिंछ्रये तां पुरं प्रैमि । स मा रक्षतु स मा गोपायतु तस्मा आत्मानं परि ददे स्वाहा
May Sūrya, with Heaven and Earth, guard me from the western quarter. In that I step; in that I take refuge; unto that stronghold I go forth. May he protect me; may he watch over me: to him I wholly commit my very self—svāhā.
Mantra 6
आपो मौषधीमतीरेतस्या दिशः पान्तु तासु क्रमे तासु श्रये तां पुरं प्रैमि । ता मा रक्षन्तु ता मा गोपायन्तु ताभ्य आत्मानं परि ददे स्वाहा
May the Waters, herb-endowed, guard me from this quarter. In them I step; in them I take refuge; unto that stronghold I go forth. May they protect me; may they watch over me: to them I wholly commit my very self—svāhā.
Mantra 7
विश्वकर्मा मा सप्तऋषिभिरुदीच्या दिशः पातु तस्मिन् क्रमे तस्मिंछ्रये तां पुरं प्रैमि । स मा रक्षतु स मा गोपायतु तस्मा आत्मानं परि ददे स्वाहा
May Viśvakarman, with the Seven Seers, from the northern quarter, protect me. In that I take my step; in that I take refuge; into that fortress I go forth. May he guard me; may he watch over me: unto him I wholly commit my very self—svāhā.
Mantra 8
इन्द्रो मा मरुत्वानेतस्या दिशः पातु तस्मिन् क्रमे तस्मिंछ्रये तां पुरं प्रैमि । स मा रक्षतु स मा गोपायतु तस्मा आत्मानं परि ददे स्वाहा
May Indra, attended by the Maruts, from this quarter, protect me. In that I take my step; in that I take refuge; into that fortress I go forth. May he guard me; may he watch over me: unto him I wholly commit my very self—svāhā.
Mantra 9
प्रजापतिर्मा प्रजननवान्त्सह प्रतिष्ठाया ध्रुवाया दिशः पातु तस्मिन् क्रमे तस्मिंछ्रये तां पुरं प्रैमि । स मा रक्षतु स मा गोपायतु तस्मा आत्मानं परि ददे स्वाहा
May Prajāpati, rich in generative might, together with the firm foundation, from the steadfast quarter, protect me. In that I take my step; in that I take refuge; into that fortress I go forth. May he guard me; may he watch over me: unto him I wholly commit my very self—svāhā.
Mantra 10
बृहस्पतिर्मा विश्वैर्देवैरूर्ध्वाया दिशः पातु तस्मिन् क्रमे तस्मिंछ्रये तां पुरं प्रैमि । स मा रक्षतु स मा गोपायतु तस्मा आत्मानं परि ददे स्वाहा
May Bṛhaspati, with all the Gods, from the upward quarter, protect me. In that I take my step; in that I take refuge; into that fortress I go forth. May he guard me; may he watch over me: unto him I wholly commit my very self—svāhā.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a ritually constructed safe enclosure—formed by mantra and intention—into which the reciter ‘steps’ and ‘takes refuge,’ so harmful forces are kept outside its boundary.
Each quarter is guarded by a deity and an allied host; naming them installs a complete protective perimeter so threats linked to any direction are checked by the appropriate guardian power.
Not strictly. Svāhā functions as a sealing formula of commitment; if a lamp/fire and ghee are available, it may be paired with a small offering, but the hymn also works as a spoken kavaca with mental oblation.