Sukta 19
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (late protective hymn-cycle; specific r̥ṣi attribution varies by anukramaṇī)
Devata: Vāyu (Wind) as installer of the protective ‘pur’
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh-like cadence (late AV style; refrain-driven)
Mantras
Mantra 1
शर्म। मित्रः पृथिव्योदक्रामत् तां पुरं प्र णयामि वः । तामा विशत तां प्र विशत सा वः शर्म च वर्म च यच्छतु
Shelter! Mitra hath stepped forth upon the Earth: that fortress I lead you on unto. Enter ye into it; yea, enter ye wholly: may she bestow on you both refuge and armour.
Mantra 2
वायुरन्तरिक्षेणोदक्रामत् तां पुरं प्र णयामि वः । तामा विशत तां प्र विशत सा वः शर्म च वर्म च यच्छतु
The Wind strode forth along the mid-air: that fortress I lead forward unto you. Enter ye into it, enter ye full into it: may she bestow on you both shelter and armour.
Mantra 3
सूर्यो दिवोदक्रामत् तां पुरं प्र णयामि वः । तामा विशत तां प्र विशत सा वः शर्म च वर्म च यच्छतु
The Sun from heaven strode forth: that fortress I lead forward unto you. Enter ye into it, enter ye full into it: may she bestow on you both shelter and armour.
Mantra 4
चन्द्रमा नक्षत्रैरुदक्रामत् तां पुरं प्र णयामि वः । तामा विशत तां प्र विशत सा वः शर्म च वर्म च यच्छतु
The Moon with the constellations strode forth: that fortress I lead forward unto you. Enter ye into it, enter ye full into it: may she bestow on you both shelter and armour.
Mantra 5
सोम ओषधीभिरुदक्रामत् तां पुरं प्र णयामि वः । तामा विशत तां प्र विशत सा वः शर्म च वर्म च यच्छतु
Soma with the herbs strode forth: that fortress I lead forward unto you. Enter ye into it, enter ye full into it: may she bestow on you both shelter and armour.
Mantra 6
यज्ञो दक्षिणाभिरुदक्रामत् तां पुरं प्र णयामि वः । तामा विशत तां प्र विशत सा वः शर्म च वर्म च यच्छतु
The Sacrifice with the priestly gifts strode forth: that fortress I lead forward unto you. Enter ye into it, enter ye full into it: may she bestow on you both shelter and armour.
Mantra 7
समुद्रो नदीभिरुदक्रामत् तां पुरं प्र णयामि वः । तामा विशत तां प्र विशत सा वः शर्म च वर्म च यच्छतु
As the Ocean with the Rivers hath advanced, so that stronghold do I lead you forth unto. Enter ye into it; yea, enter ye fully into it: may she bestow on you both shelter and armour.
Mantra 8
ब्रह्म ब्रह्मचारिभिरुदक्रामत् पुरं प्र णयामि वः । तामा विशत तां प्र विशत सा वः शर्म च वर्म च यच्छतु
Brahman, with the Brahmacārins, hath advanced: that stronghold do I lead you forth unto. Enter ye into it; yea, enter ye fully into it: may she bestow on you both shelter and armour.
Mantra 9
इन्द्रो वीर्ये३णोदक्रामत् तां पुरं प्र णयामि वः । तामा विशत तां प्र विशत सा वः शर्म च वर्म च यच्छतु
Indra, with heroic might, hath advanced: that stronghold do I lead you forth unto. Enter ye into it; yea, enter ye fully into it: may she bestow on you both shelter and armour.
Mantra 10
देवा अमृतेनोदक्रामंस्तां पुरं प्र णयामि वः । तामा विशत तां प्र विशत सा वः शर्म च वर्म च यच्छतु
The Gods, with immortality, have advanced: that stronghold do I lead you forth unto. Enter ye into it; yea, enter ye fully into it: may she bestow on you both shelter and armour.
Mantra 11
प्रजापतिः प्रजाभिरुदक्रामत् तां पुरं प्र णयामि वः । तामा विशत तां प्र विशत सा वः शर्म च वर्म च यच्छतु
Prajāpati, with his creatures, hath advanced: that stronghold do I lead you forth unto. Enter ye into it; yea, enter ye fully into it: may she bestow on you both shelter and armour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here “pur” is a protective fortress/enclosure created by mantra and mirrored by a marked boundary or threshold, into which the group is ritually led for safety.
The repetition is performative: it turns protection into an enacted transition—crossing into the secured space—so the refuge (śarma) and armour (varma) become effective for the whole group.
Primarily for community/settlement security (rakṣā): it protects a household, village, or group entering a place, though individuals also benefit by being included within the fortified enclosure.