Sukta 18
आविष्टिताघविषा पृदाकूरिव चर्मणा । सा ब्राह्मणस्य राजन्य तृष्टैषा गौरनाद्या
ā́-viṣṭitā́ghá-viṣā pṛdākú̄r iva cármaṇā | sā́ brā́hmaṇásya rājanya tṛṣṭáiṣā́ gáur anā́dyā ||
Enwrapped with evil poison, as with a leopard’s hide for covering—this cow, O Rajanya, is thirsting: this is the Brahmin’s cow, not to be eaten.
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (often attributed broadly to Atharvan/Angiras circles for brahma-tejas hymns)
Devata: Brahman (sacral power) / protective force of the Brahmin’s property (implicit)
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (probable; AV social-apotropaic verses commonly in anuṣṭubh)
{"primary_rasa":"bhayankara","secondary_rasa":"raudra","emotional_arc":"From vivid danger-image to direct prohibition.","listener_experience":"A jolt of fear and moral hesitation; recognition of sacred boundary.","intensity":7}