Mantra 17
Sukta 3
स्वर्गं लोकमभि नो नयासि सं जायया सह पुत्रैः स्याम । गृह्णामि हस्तमनु मैत्वत्र मा नस्तारीन्निरृतिर्मो अरातिः
svargáṃ lokám abhí no nayāsi sáṃ jāyáyā sahá putráiḥ syāma | gr̥hṇā́mi hástam ánu mā́ itv átra mā́ nas tārīn nírr̥tir mó arā́tiḥ ||
Unto the heavenly world thou leadest us: may we be together with wife, together with sons. I grasp the hand and follow; go thou onward—here let not Nirṛti bear us away, nor hostile Mischief.
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition
Devata: Guide-to-svarga power (often interpreted as a leading deity/principle) with explicit anti-devatā focus on Nirṛti/Arāti
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (probable; requires verification)
{"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"bhayankara","emotional_arc":"Uplift toward svarga → tenderness for family unity → sudden vigilance against Nirṛti/Arāti → re-stabilization.","listener_experience":"Comforted yet alert: a guided walk with loved ones while keeping danger behind.","intensity":6}