Sukta 40
मा नो मेधां मा नो दीक्षां मा नो हिंसिष्टं यत् तपः । शिवा नः शं सन्त्वायुषे शिवा भवन्तु मातरः
mā́ no medhā́m mā́ no dīkṣā́m mā́ no hiṁsiṣṭaṁ yát tápaḥ | śivā́ naḥ śáṁ sántv ā́yuṣe śivā́ bhavantu mātáraḥ ||
Harm not our intelligence, harm not our consecration; injure us not in that which is our holy heat. Auspicious to us be peace for life; auspicious be the Mothers unto us.
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (not explicit here)
Devata: Śānti/benign powers; ‘Mothers’ (Mātaraḥ) as protective agencies
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh-like
{"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":null,"emotional_arc":"From anxious vigilance (do not harm…) into calm assurance (may peace and the Mothers be auspicious).","listener_experience":"A sense of being encircled by benevolent guardians; steadiness returns to mind and breath.","intensity":3}