Sukta 7
Rishi: Atharvanic/Angiras-type (protective formula; specific r̥ṣi attribution varies by anukramaṇī tradition)
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (probable; short bipāda structure)
This short protective hymn redirects hostile (āsuric) force into welfare by invoking the precedent of the Devas’ victories. It calls Soma—moving on the deva-path of Aditi and the Mitras—to arrive with aid, to subdue adversaries, and to grant śarma (secure protection) to the reciter and community.
Kind of charm
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
असुरक्षयणम्। येन॑ सो॒मादि॑तिः प॒था मि॒त्रा वा॒ यन्त्य॒द्रुहः॑ । तेना॒ नोऽव॒सा ग॑हि
यह मंत्र असुरों को खत्म करने के लिए है। सोम भगवान से कहा जा रहा है कि जिस रास्ते से अदिति और मित्र जाते हैं, जिस रास्ते से बड़े लोग सफ़र करते हैं बिना किसी तकलीफ के, उसी रास्ते तू हमारे पास आ। हमारी मदद कर, हमारे ऊपर अपनी दया दृष्टि रख।
Mantra 2
येन॑ सोम साह॒न्त्यासु॑रान् र॒न्धया॑सि नः । तेना॑ नो॒ अधि॑ वोचत
हे सोम, वो ताकत जिससे असुरों को हराया जाता है, उसी से तुम हमारे लिए उनको काबू करो। उसी ताकत से हमें सही रास्ता दिखाओ।
Mantra 3
येन॑ देवा॒ असु॑राणा॒मोजां॒स्यवृ॑णीध्वम्। तेना॑ नः॒ शर्म॑ यच्छत
देवताओं ने असुरों की ताकत कैसे छीन ली थी। उसी तरह हमें भी रक्षा करो।
Inside Sukta 7
How it unfolds
- How it opens
The hymn opens by identifying the aim as ‘asura-destruction’ and calls Soma to come by the path used by Aditi and the Mitras (the safe, non-hostile deva-route).
- What it asks
That Soma bring saving aid, subdue the hostile forces for us, and establish protective authority over the community.
- Where its power lies
Efficacy is grounded in divine precedent: the same ‘device/means’ by which the Devas appropriated the Asuras’ strength is invoked to work now for the reciter.
- How it closes
It seals the rite with the direct petition: ‘tenā naḥ śarma yacchata’—grant us protection by that very means.
Famous verses
tenā no’vasā gahi
tenā no adhi vocata
tenā naḥ śarma yacchata
Kind of hymn
Rakṣoghna / Abhicarika (apotropaic-protective, anti-hostile power)
What it is for
To repel or subdue hostile forces (āsuric/adversarial), secure a protective covering of authoritative speech, and obtain śarma (safety and welfare).
Who it is for
Householders, village/community leaders, and Atharvanic practitioners seeking protection from enemies, malefic influences, or social conflict.
Also used as
- Rakṣoghna
- Śāntika
- Saṃgrāmika (victory-toned protection)
Powers of the deity
- Arrives by the deva-path (deva-mārga) that excludes hostile forces
- Subdues/overcomes Asuras and adversaries (randhayati)
- Establishes authoritative protective speech ‘over’ the community (adhi-vāc)
- Grants śarma: safety, shelter, and well-being
- Transforms hostile potency into communal protection by divine precedent
Why the deity is called
To summon Soma and the deva-aligned powers to replicate their earlier conquest of hostile strength, placing that same protective mechanism over the patron/household.
The seer
- Atharvanic/Āṅgirasa-type seer (anukramaṇī-variant attribution)Atharvan/Angiras. Rakṣoghna and śānti-oriented protective formulas: boundary-making, repelling hostile agencies, and converting enemy potency into safeguarding śarma.
Other hymns of this seer
- AV 6.6
- AV 6.8
- AV 6.9
Preparing for the rite
- Choose a clean, quiet spot (threshold, courtyard, or near the household fire).
- Perform simple ācamana and mental saṃkalpa for protection (śarma) and enemy-subduing.
- If desired, establish a small boundary by sprinkling clean water around the space (optional, inferred Atharvanic practice).
The rite
- Recite the three mantras in order (6.7.1–6.7.3), keeping attention on ‘the deva-path’ and the transfer of power from hostile to protective.
- On 6.7.2 (‘adhi vocata’), gesture as if placing protection over the head/assembly (protective overlay by speech).
- Conclude with a silent request for śarma and a brief dedication to Soma/Devas.
What it needs
- None required by the text
- Optional: clean water for boundary-sprinkling
- Optional: a simple thread/cord as a reminder of protection (later ritual custom)
When
At dusk/dawn for general protection; or immediately before travel, negotiation, or anticipated confrontation.
The main substance
None (mantra-centered protection)
Frequently Asked Questions
It is used for protection: to repel or subdue hostile forces and to secure śarma—safety, shelter, and well-being—over a person or community.
Here Soma represents victorious deva-power and safeguarding presence. The hymn asks Soma to arrive by the deva-path and to apply the same Asura-overcoming power for the reciter’s benefit.
No. The text itself does not require substances or amulets; it works primarily through recitation and the idea of placing protective, authoritative speech ‘over’ the target.
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