Mantra 23
Sukta 4
य एवं विदुषेऽदत्त्वाथान्येभ्यो ददद् वशाम्। दुर्गा तस्मा अधिष्ठाने पृथिवी सहदेवता
yá eváṁ vidúṣe ’dáttvā́ ’thā́nyébhyo dádad vaśā́m | durgā́ tásmā adhiṣṭhā́ne pṛthivī́ sahádevatā́ ||
Whoso, though knowing thus, hath not bestowed (the vāśā) upon the wise, but giveth the barren cow unto others—perilous for him, in his very station, is Earth, with the Gods for her confederates.
Rishi: Traditionally connected with Nārada and the Atharvanic seer-complex of Book 12 (earth/dharma materials).
Devata: Pṛthivī (Earth), with ‘the Gods’ as co-agents (sahadevatā).
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (predominant in didactic/ethical Atharvanic verses; exact metrical scan may show minor Atharvanic irregularity).
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