Mantra 1
Sukta 17
सुरक्षा। अग्निर्मा पातु वसुभिः पुरस्तात् तस्मिन् क्रमे तस्मिंछ्रये तां पुरं प्रैमि । स मा रक्षतु स मा गोपायतु तस्मा आत्मानं परि ददे स्वाहा
surákṣā | agnír mā pātu vásubhiḥ purástāt tásmin kráme tásmiñ chraye tā́ṃ púraṃ prá emi | sá mā rakṣatu sá mā gopāyatu tásmai ātmā́naṃ pári dade svā́hā ||
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.
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (anonymous/collective)
Devata: Agni (with the Vasus)
Chandas: Mixed; charm-style with extended pādas (late AV liturgical register)
{"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"bhayankara","emotional_arc":"Begins with protective urgency, resolves into calm surrender and safety.","listener_experience":"Warmth, containment, and trust—like entering a lit home at night.","intensity":5}