Mantra 23
Sukta 3
त्वमग्ने क्रतुभिः केतुभिर्हितो३र्कः समिद्ध उदरोचथा दिवि। किमभ्याऽर्चन् मरुतः पृश्निमातरो यद् रोहितमजनयन्त देवास्तस्य देवस्य। क्रुद्धस्यैतदागो य एवं विद्वांसं ब्राह्मणं जिनाति । उद् वेपय रोहित प्र क्षिणीहि ब्रह्मज्यस्य प्रति मुञ्च पाशान्
tvám agne kratúbhis ketúbhir hitó ’rkáḥ samíddha úd arócathā diví | kím abhy-à́rcan marútaḥ pṛ́śnimātaro yád rohítam ájanayanta devā́s tásya devásya | kruddhásyáitád ā́go yá eváṃ vidvā́ṃsaṃ brāhmaṇáṃ jinā́ti | úd vepaya rohita prá kṣiṇīhi brahmajyásya práti muñca pā́śān ||
Thou, Agni, set with powers and radiant signs, a flame well-kindled, hast shone forth in heaven. Wherefore did the Maruts, Pṛśni’s sons, hymn on, when the Gods brought Rohita to birth—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 (specific r̥ṣi per anukramaṇī not supplied here)
Devata: Agni; Maruts (contextual); Rohita (operative)
Chandas: Mixed/irregular; extended line with refrain
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