Sukta 6
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (hymn to Aditi/Earth-Heaven; r̥ṣi attribution varies by anukramaṇī)
Devata: Pṛthivī, Dyāus, Aditi (protective triad; ‘divine boat’ as salvific power)
Chandas: Triṣṭubh-like cadence (edition-dependent; Atharvanic meters often mixed)
Mantras
Mantra 1
अदितिः अदितिर्द्यौरदितिरन्तरिक्षमदितिर्माता स पिता स पुत्रः । विश्वे देवा अदितिः पञ्च जना अदितिर्जातमदितिर्जनित्वम्
Aditi is Heaven; Aditi is the Mid-air; Aditi is Mother—she is Father, she is Son. All Gods are Aditi; the Five Peoples are Aditi; Aditi is what hath been born, and Aditi is the very act of birth.
Mantra 2
महीमू षु मातरं सुव्रतानामृतस्य पत्नीमवसे हवामहे । तुविक्षत्रामजरन्तीमुरूचीं सुशर्माणमदितिं सुप्रणीतिम्
The mighty Mother—of them of good ordinance—the Consort of Ṛta, for succour we invoke: Aditi of puissant lordship, unaging, wide-gleaming, of gracious shelter, of excellent guidance.
Mantra 3
सुत्रामाणं पृथिवीं द्यामनेहसं सुशर्माणमदितिं सुप्रणीतिम्। दैवीं नावं स्वरित्रामनागसो अस्रवन्तीमा रुहेमा स्वस्तये
The well-protecting Earth, and Heaven that harmeth not, Aditi of good shelter and of good leading—upon the divine boat, well-oared, sinless, and not leaking, may we embark, for welfare.
Mantra 4
वाजस्य नु प्रसवे मातरं महीमदितिं नाम वचसा करामहे । यस्या उपस्थ उर्व१न्तरिक्षं सा नः शर्म त्रिवरूथं नि यच्छात्
Now, at the setting-forth of strength, the great Mother Aditi—by name—by speech we establish. She in whose lap the wide mid-air is set, may she for us firmly bestow a threefold-guarded shelter.
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Aditi—together with Earth and Heaven—to become complete shelter and right guidance, carrying the reciter safely through danger like a perfectly sound, well-steered boat.
To state that protection is not partial: Aditi is invoked as total wholeness itself, so no region of life—body, society, or destiny—lies outside her safeguarding power.
Recite the four verses before travel or a difficult transition, sprinkle a little clean water, and at the ‘divine boat’ verse (7.6.3) hold a small token or tied thread while intending safe arrival and freedom from harm (svasti, anāgas).