Mantra 21
Sukta 3
निम्रुचस्तिस्रो व्युषो ह तिस्रस्त्रीणि रजांसि दिवो अङ्ग तिस्रः । विद्मा ते अग्ने त्रेधा जनित्रं त्रेधा देवानां जनिमानि विद्म तस्य देवस्य । क्रुद्धस्यैतदागो य एवं विद्वांसं ब्राह्मणं जिनाति । उद् वेपय रोहित प्र क्षिणीहि ब्रह्मज्यस्य प्रति मुञ्च पाशान्
ní-mrúcás tisró vyúṣo ha tisrás trī́ṇi rájāṃsi dívo aṅgá tisráḥ | vidmá te agne trédhā janítram trédhā devā́nāṃ janímāni vidmá tásya devásya | kruddhásyáitád ā́go yá eváṃ vidvā́ṃsaṃ brāhmaṇáṃ jinā́ti | úd vepaya rohita prá kṣiṇīhi brahmajyásya práti muñca pā́śān ||
Three are the downward darkenings, three the dawn-breakings; three, forsooth, the regions—three of heaven, O surely. We know, O Agni, thy threefold birthplace; threefold we know the births of the Gods—of that God. This is the offence against the wrathful One: whoso, thus knowing, injureth a learned Brahman. Up—make him tremble, O Rohita; waste him away: in requital loose forth the nooses upon the Brahma-hurter.
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (hymn complex associated with Brahman-protection; specific r̥ṣi attribution varies by anukramaṇī)
Devata: Agni; Rohita (solar/royal punitive power); the ‘kruddha deva’ backing brahmanical sanctity
Chandas: Mixed/irregular (predominantly triṣṭubh-jagatī cadence in extended pādas; refrain-like abhicaric close)
{"primary_rasa":"raudra","secondary_rasa":"bhayankara","emotional_arc":"From solemn cosmology to fierce accusation and punitive command.","listener_experience":"Awe and intimidation; sense of protective wrath mobilized on behalf of sanctity.","intensity":8}