
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (anonymous/śākhā attribution typical for late book 19 charms)
Devata: Darbha-maṇi (personified amulet; darbha as empowered agent)
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (4 pādas of ~8 syllables; charm-style cadence)
Mantra 1
दर्भमणिः। इमं बध्नामि ते मणिं दीर्घायुत्वाय तेजसे । दर्भं सपत्नदम्भनं द्विषतस्तपनं हृदः
The Darbha-amulet. This amulet I bind upon thee for long life, for splendour. Darbha—crusher of rivals—scorcher of the hater, (scorcher) in the heart.
Mantra 2
द्विषतस्तापयन् हृदः शत्रूणां तापयन् मनः । दुर्हार्दः सर्वांस्त्वं दर्भ घर्म इवाभिन्त्संतापयन्
Scorching the hearts of the haters, scorching the mind of the enemies—thou, O darbha, the heart-crusher, do thou scorch them all, cleaving them as with burning heat.
Mantra 3
घर्म इवाभितपन् दर्भ द्विषतो नितपन् मणे । हृदः सपत्नानां भिन्द्धीन्द्र इव विरुजं बलम्
As burning heat, scorching, O darbha—scorching the haters, O amulet—cleave thou the hearts of rivals, as Indra shatters strength to fragments.
Mantra 4
भिन्द्धि दर्भ सपत्नानां हृदयः द्विषतां मणे । उद्यन्त्वचमिव भूम्याः शिर एषा वि पातय
Cleave, O darbha, the hearts of rivals, of the haters, O amulet; and their head do thou cast down as one strips and turns the skin of the earth.
Mantra 5
भिन्द्धि दर्भ सपत्नान्मे भिन्द्धि मे पृतनायतः । भिन्द्धि मे सर्वान् दुर्हार्दो भिन्द्धि मे द्विषतो मणे
Cleave, O darbha, my rivals; cleave for me the battle-assailants. Cleave for me them all, O heart-crusher; cleave for me the haters, O amulet.
Mantra 6
छिन्द्धि दर्भ सपत्नान् मे छिन्द्धि मे पृतनायतः । छिन्द्धि मे सर्वान् दुर्हार्दो छिन्द्धि मे द्विषतो मणे
Cut off, O darbha, my rivals; cut off for me the battle-assailants. Cut off for me them all, O heart-crusher; cut off for me the haters, O amulet.
Mantra 7
वृश्च दर्भ सपत्नान्मे वृश्च मे पृतनायतः । वृश्च मे सर्वान् दुर्हार्दो वृश्च मे द्विषतो मणे
Hew down, O Darbha, my rivals; hew down for me the battle-assailants. Hew down for me all the ill-hearted; hew down for me the haters, O Amulet.
Mantra 8
कृन्त दर्भ सपत्नान् मे कृन्त मे पृतनायतः । कृन्त मे सर्वान् दुर्हार्दो कृन्त मे द्विषतो मणे
Cut up, O Darbha, my rivals; cut up for me the battle-assailants. Cut up for me all the ill-hearted; cut up for me the haters, O Amulet.
Mantra 9
पिंश दर्भ सपत्नान्मे पिंश मे पृतनायतः । पिंश मे सर्वान् दुर्हार्दो पिंश मे द्विषतो मणे
Crush, O Darbha, my rivals; crush for me the battle-assailants. Crush for me all the ill-hearted; crush for me the haters, O Amulet.
Mantra 10
विध्य दर्भ सपत्नान् मे विध्य मे पृतनायतः । विध्य मे सर्वान् दुर्हार्दो विध्य मे द्विषतो मणे
Pierce, O Darbha, my rivals; pierce for me the battle-assailants. Pierce for me all the ill-hearted; pierce for me the haters, O Amulet.
It is an amulet made from darbha grass that is treated as a personified protective power. The hymn ‘activates’ it so it grants vitality and repels or disables hostile forces.
Its primary tone is protective: it binds the amulet for long life and splendour. The same protection is expressed in strong language—scorching and ‘hewing down’ hatred, rivalry, and aggression.
A small bundle or plait of darbha is prepared and tied onto the wearer with a cord while the verses are recited. Key lines are spoken during the act of binding to seal longevity and protection.