Sukta 16
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (specific ṛṣi not securely determinable from the single mantra alone in isolation).
Devata: Prāṇa and Apāna (vital breaths) as deified life-agents; apotropaic opposition to Mṛtyu.
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh-like cadence (short protective formula; exact metrical classification is fluid for such svāhā-closures).
Este breve ensalmo atharvánico es una fórmula compacta de protección de la vida (āyusya) que estabiliza los alientos vitales —Prāṇa y Apāna— frente al acercamiento de Mṛtyu (la Muerte). Mediante invocaciones selladas con svāhā, dirigidas a los vientos de vida y a los guardianes cósmicos (el ojo de Sūrya, Agni Vaiśvānara con todos los dioses), establece un cerco protector destinado a apartar la muerte prematura o violenta y a devolver firmeza a la persona viva.
Mantras
Mantra 1
सुरक्षा प्राणा॑पानौ मृ॒त्योर्मा॑ पातं॒ स्वाहा॑
¡Buena protección! Oh Prāṇa y Apāna, de la Muerte protegedme. Svāhā.
Mantra 2
द्यावा॑पृथिवी॒ उप॑श्रुत्या मा पातं॒ स्वाहा॑
Cielo y Tierra, por vuestra escucha atenta, guardadme: svāhā.
Mantra 3
सूर्य॒ चक्षु॑षा मा पाहि॒ स्वाहा॑
Oh Sūrya, con tu ojo protégeme — svāhā.
Mantra 4
अग्ने॑ वैश्वानर॒ विश्वै॑र्मा दे॒वैः पा॑हि॒ स्वाहा॑
Oh Agni Vaiśvānara, con todos los dioses protégeme — svāhā.
Mantra 5
विश्वं॑भर॒ विश्वे॑न मा॒ भर॑सा पाहि॒ स्वाहा॑
Oh Sustentador de todo, con tu poder universal, por tu fuerza sustentadora protégeme — svāhā.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a life-protecting (āyusya) healing charm that asks Prāṇa and Apāna to guard the person from Death (Mṛtyu), then seals protection through Sūrya and Agni with svāhā.
A fire offering with ghee can be done if available, but in Atharvanic protective use, svāhā can also function as a verbal seal (mānasa-homa) when recited with focused intent.
It is used when someone is ill, weakened, fearful of danger, or facing ominous circumstances—especially where the aim is to stabilize vitality and avert premature or violent death.
Ask anything about Sukta 16 of the Atharva Veda
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Atharva Veda in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.