Sukta 21
Rishi: Indra-focused Atharvanic tradition (specific r̥ṣi attribution varies by Anukramaṇī; commonly treated as an Indra-stuti within Atharvanic collections).
Devata: Indra (as Vṛtrahan, Somapā, Abhayaṃkara).
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (4 pādas of ~8 syllables; Atharvanic anuṣṭubh style).
Mantras
Mantra 1
शत्रुनिवारणम्। स्वस्तिदा विशां पतिर्वृत्रहा विमृधो वशी। वृषेन्द्रः पुर एतु नः सोमपा अभयंकरः
The Giver of welfare, the Lord of the clans, Vṛtra-slayer, controller of the hostile assailants—bull-like Indra—let him go before us, the Soma-drinker, the maker of fearlessness.
Mantra 2
वि न इन्द्र मृधो जहि नीचा यच्छ पृतन्यतः । अधमं गमया तमो यो अस्माँ अभिदासति
Scatter, O Indra, and smite away from us the hostile powers; hold the battling foe down low. Drive into the nethermost darkness him who assails us with malice.
Mantra 3
वि रक्षो वि मृधो जहि वि वृत्रस्य हनू रुज । वि मन्युमिन्द्र वृत्रहन्नमित्रस्याभिदासतः
Scatter the demon; scatter the hostile onsets: smite them. Shatter the jaws of Vṛtra. Scatter, O Indra, Vṛtra-slayer, the wrath of the foe, of him that assaileth and would oppress.
Mantra 4
अपेन्द्र द्विषतो मनोऽप जिज्यासतो वधम्। वि महच्छर्म यच्छ वरीयो यावया वधम्
Away, O Indra, the mind of them that hate; away the deadly blow of them that seek to conquer. Spread forth and grant us mighty shelter, better yet; drive thou away the deadly blow.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is used for protection—driving away enemies, hostile intent, and harmful forces, and establishing a wide divine shelter over a person, home, or group.
The hymn asks Indra to produce fearlessness by going before the people as a forward-guard; his victorious power is invoked to remove danger and panic together.
No. It can be recited as a spoken protective charm; optionally, clean water for sprinkling and a simple protective thread can be used to externalize the ‘shelter’ requested in the verses.