Sukta 23
Rishi: Atharvanic/Angirasa tradition (hymn-level attribution varies by anukramaṇī; commonly treated as Atharvanic).
Devata: Āpaḥ (Waters), as empowered agents of tejas and protection.
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (probable; confirm against pada-count in the critical edition/anukramaṇī).
Mantras
Mantra 1
शत्रुनाशनम्। आपो यद् वस्तपस्तेन तं प्रति तपत यो३स्मान् द्वेष्टि यं वयं द्विष्मः
O Waters, what burning ardour is yours—with that do ye scorch him back, even him who hateth us, whom we ourselves do hate.
Mantra 2
आपो यद् वो हरस्तेन तं प्रति हरत यो३स्मान् द्वेष्टि यं वयं द्विष्मः
O Waters, what taking-away power is yours—therewith bear him back in requital, even him who hateth us, whom we ourselves do hate.
Mantra 3
आपो यद् वोऽर्चिस्तेन तं प्रत्यर्चत यो३स्मान् द्वेष्टि यं वयं द्विष्मः
O Waters, with that radiance which is yours, blaze back upon him—upon the man who hateth us, whom we in turn do hate.
Mantra 4
आपो यद् वः शोचिस्तेन तं प्रति शोचत यो३स्मान् द्वेष्टि यं वयं द्विष्मः
O Waters, what burning brilliance is yours—therewith scorch him back in requital, who hateth us, whom we in turn do hate.
Mantra 5
आपो यद् वस्तेजस्तेन तमतेजसं कृणुत यो३स्मान् द्वेष्टि यं वयं द्विष्मः
O Waters, what fiery might is yours—therewith make him void of might, who hateth us, whom we in turn do hate.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is used to counter and reverse hostility—social enmity or sorcery-like harm—by invoking the Waters to send the force back and weaken the aggressor’s efficacy (tejas).
In Atharvanic thought, water is not only cleansing; it can carry an inner heat/radiance (arciṣ/tejas) that acts as an active protective and retaliatory power when ritually addressed.
The core substance is water itself. Many prayogas use only clean water consecrated by recitation and applied by sprinkling for protection and symbolic reversal.