Mantra 3
Sukta 20
इतश्च यदमुतश्च यद् वधं वरुण यावय । वि महच्छर्म यच्छ वरीयो यावया वधम्
itáś ca yád amútaś ca yád vadháṃ varuṇa yāvaya | ví mahác chárma yaccha várīyo yāvayā vadhám
What deadly harm is from hence, and what from yonder—O Varuṇa, drive thou it away. Bestow abroad a mighty shelter, a better refuge; drive away the deadly harm.
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (specific ṛṣi attribution varies by anukramaṇī lists for AV 1.20; commonly treated as Atharvan/Āṅgirasa milieu).
Devata: Varuṇa (protector, remover of binding and peril).
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (predominant AV domestic meter; this verse conforms to anuṣṭubh cadence).
{"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"bhayankara","emotional_arc":"Acknowledges omnidirectional threat → repeatedly drives it away → opens into spacious refuge.","listener_experience":"A widening calm, like stepping under a protective roof after danger.","intensity":5}