Sukta 18
उत्तराहमुत्तर उत्तरेदुत्तराभ्यः । अधः सपत्नी या ममाधरा साधराभ्यः
uttárā́hám uttará uttáred úttarābhyaḥ | adháḥ sapatnī́ yā́ mamā́dharā́ sā́dharābhyaḥ
Higher am I, higher; may I rise above the higher. Below be the rival-wife—she who is lower than I—below, among the lowly.
Rishi: Atharvanic seer (varies).
Devata: Mantra as operative force; social hierarchy as the field of action
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh
{"primary_rasa":"vira","secondary_rasa":"raudra","emotional_arc":"From self-elevation to decisive subjugation of the rival.","listener_experience":"Courage, uprightness, competitive dominance.","intensity":7}