Sukta 2
याः क्लन्दास्तमिषीचयोऽक्षकामा मनोमुहः । ताभ्यो गन्धर्वपत्नीभ्योऽप्सराभ्योऽकरं नमः
yā́ḥ klandā́s tamíṣīcayo ’kṣakā́mā manomúhaḥ | tā́bhyo gandharvápatnībhyo ’psarábhyo ’káraṃ námaḥ ||
Those who are wailers, who fare in darkness, dice-desiring, mind-bewildering—unto them, unto the Gandharvas’ wives, unto the Apsarases, have I performed obeisance.
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (exact r̥ṣi attribution for this single mantra is not securely fixed without the Anukramaṇī; commonly treated as Atharvan/Angiras-type in rakṣoghna material).
Devata: Apsarases (as a collective), also framed as Gandharva-patnīs (wives/associates of Gandharvas).
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (4 pādas of ~8 syllables; Atharvanic anuṣṭubh with minor irregularities).
{"primary_rasa":"bhayankara","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_arc":"Confrontation with dark, mind-bewildering forces → pacification through namas → relief.","listener_experience":"A quick protective ‘seal’ against intrusive states; steadier mind after closure.","intensity":6}