Sukta 8
Rishi: Atharvanic/Angirasa tradition (as typical for early AV apotropaic hymns; exact r̥ṣi per anukramaṇī should be confirmed for 1.8)
Devata: Bṛhaspati; Agni–Soma (as joint executors of the destructive act)
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (probable; to be verified against pada-count in the Saunaka metrical listing)
Mantras
Mantra 1
यातुधाननाशनम्। इदं हविर्यातुधानान् नदी फेनमिवा वहत्। य इदं स्त्री पुमानकरिह स स्तुवतां जनः
This oblation beareth off the Yātudhānas, as a river (sweeps away) the foam. Whoso hath by this made woman into man, he is the folk of them that laud (the rite).
Mantra 2
अयं स्तुवान आगमदिमं स्म प्रति हर्यत । बृहस्पते वशे लब्ध्वाग्नीषोमा वि विध्यतम्
This man, hymning, hath come hither: seize ye upon this one in return. O Bṛhaspati, having gotten him within thy sway, O Agni and Soma, pierce him through, yea, smite him asunder.
Mantra 3
यातुधानस्य सोमप जहि प्रजां नयस्व च । नि स्तुवानस्य पातय परमक्ष्युतावरम्
O Soma-drinker, smite the Yātudhāna; and lead forth the folk (their offspring). The praiser—cast him down; hurl him far away, O Unshaken, to the nethermost.
Mantra 4
यत्रैषामग्ने जनिमानि वेत्थ गुहा सतामत्त्रिणां जातवेदः । तांस्त्वं ब्रह्मणा वावृधानो जह्येऽषां शततर्हमग्ने
Where, Agni, thou knowest their births and origins, hidden away—the devourers’ lair—O Jātavedas: them do thou, grown strong by holy spell, smite down, O Agni, a hundredfold.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is used to repel and neutralize hostile forces—demons like yātudhānas/“devourers,” or human witchcraft—by reversing the attack and commanding divine destruction.
Bṛhaspati provides brahmanic control (bringing the threat under ‘vaśa’), while Agni–Soma execute the destructive act—piercing, splitting, and burning away the hostile agency.
At minimum, it can be recited with focused intent; traditionally it is paired with a small havis offering into fire. Optional symbolic aids (darbha or a pointed twig) mirror the hymn’s ‘binding’ and ‘piercing’ language.