Sukta 43
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (late book; r̥ṣi attribution varies by anukramaṇī)
Devata: Vāyu (as prāṇa and guide)
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (with a concluding svāhā formula)
Mantras
Mantra 1
यत्र ब्रह्मविदो यान्ति दीक्षया तपसा सह। अग्निर्मा तत्र नयत्वग्निर्मेधा दधातु मे । अग्नये स्वाहा
Where the knowers of brahman go, with consecration and with austerity—thither let Agni lead me; let Agni set intelligence within me. To Agni—svāhā!
Mantra 2
यत्र ब्रह्मविदो यान्ति दीक्षया तपसा सह। वायुर्मा तत्र नयतु वायुः प्राणान् दधातु मे। वायवे स्वाहा
Whither the knowers of Brahman go, with consecration and with ardent austerity,—thither let Vāyu lead me; let Vāyu bestow upon me the vital breaths. To Vāyu, svāhā.
Mantra 3
यत्र ब्रह्मविदो यान्ति दीक्षया तपसा सह। सूर्यो मा तत्र नयतु चक्षुः सूर्यो दधातु मे । सूर्याय स्वाहा
Whither the knowers of Brahman go, with consecration and with ardent austerity,—thither let Sūrya lead me; let Sūrya bestow upon me sight. To Sūrya, svāhā.
Mantra 4
यत्र ब्रह्मविदो यान्ति दीक्षया तपसा सह। चन्द्रो मा तत्र नयतु मनश्चन्द्रो दधातु मे । चन्द्राय स्वाहा
Whither the knowers of Brahman go, with consecration and with ardent austerity,—thither let Candra lead me; let Candra bestow upon me mind. To Candra, svāhā.
Mantra 5
यत्र ब्रह्मविदो यान्ति दीक्षया तपसा सह। सोमो मा तत्र नयतु पयः सोमो दधातु मे । सोमाय स्वाहा
Whither the knowers of Brahman go, with consecration and with ardent austerity,—thither let Soma lead me; let Soma bestow upon me nourishing milk. To Soma, svāhā.
Mantra 6
यत्र ब्रह्मविदो यान्ति दीक्षया तपसा सह। इन्द्रो मा तत्र नयतु बलमिन्द्रो दधातु मे । इन्द्राय स्वाहा
Whither the knowers of Brahman go, with consecration and with ardent austerity,—thither let Indra lead me; let Indra bestow upon me strength. To Indra, svāhā.
Mantra 7
यत्र ब्रह्मविदो यान्ति दीक्षया तपसा सह। आपो मा तत्र नयत्वमृतं मोप तिष्ठतु । अद्भ्यः स्वाहा
Whither the knowers of sacred Brahman go, with consecration and with fervid austerity,—thither let the Waters lead me; let not Immortality stand over against me (as a foe). To the Waters—svāhā.
Mantra 8
यत्र ब्रह्मविदो यान्ति दीक्षया तपसा सह। ब्रह्मा मा तत्र नयतु ब्रह्मा ब्रह्म दधातु मे । ब्रह्मणे स्वाहा
Whither the knowers of sacred Brahman go, with consecration and with fervid austerity,—thither let Brahmā lead me; let Brahmā bestow on me the Brahman-power. To Brahman—svāhā.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both. Its repeated request for prāṇa, strength, and guidance suits healing and protection, and its “lead me where the brahmavid-s go” language also fits end-of-life and post-mortem safe-passage intentions.
Svāhā marks an offering-seal: the request is treated as an oblation to the named deity. With a fire it can accompany a small ghee offering; without fire it can be recited as a mental offering.
19.43.2 is the core for this sukta’s stated focus: it asks Vāyu to lead the reciter and to establish the vital breaths (prāṇa) firmly.