Mantra 8
Sukta 17
इन्द्रो मा मरुत्वानेतस्या दिशः पातु तस्मिन् क्रमे तस्मिंछ्रये तां पुरं प्रैमि । स मा रक्षतु स मा गोपायतु तस्मा आत्मानं परि ददे स्वाहा
índro̍ mā marútvāne tásyā diśáḥ pā́tu tásmin kráme tásmiñ chraye táṃ púraṃ práimi | sá mā rakṣatu sá mā gopāyatu tásmā ātmā́naṃ pári dade svā́hā
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.
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (unit attribution variable)
Devata: Indra (with Maruts)
Chandas: Atharvanic mixed cadence (quasi-anuṣṭubh)
{"primary_rasa":"vira","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_arc":"From energized guardianship (Indra+Maruts) to settled refuge and sealed trust (svāhā).","listener_experience":"A surge of confidence and protection, followed by calm assurance of being watched over.","intensity":7}