Sukta 18
ब्रह्मरावी नैतां ते देवा अददुस्तुभ्यं नृपते अत्तवे । मा ब्राह्मणस्य राजन्य गां जिघत्सो अनाद्याम्
bráhma-rāvī náitāṃ te devā́ adaduḥ túbhyaṃ nṛ́pate áttave | mā́ brāhmaṇásya rājanya gā́ṃ jíghatso anā́dyām
Brahman-proclaiming is the voice: the Gods gave not this unto thee, O Lord of men, for eating. O royal man, crave not to devour the Brahman’s cow—she is not for food.
Rishi: Atharvanic seer tradition (hymn-level attribution varies)
Devata: Brahman (sacral law) / Devāḥ as witnesses
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh
{"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"vira","emotional_arc":"From solemn proclamation to firm restraint; calm authority rather than rage.","listener_experience":"Sense of lawful protection and moral clarity; the king is ‘checked’ without humiliation.","intensity":5}