Sukta 22
Rishi: Traditionally Atharvanic/Angirasa attribution for this counter-hatred material (to be confirmed against the AVŚ anukramaṇī for 2.22)
Devata: Candra (Moon), as wielder of haras (burning potency)
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh-type cadence (to be confirmed by full hymn metrical scan)
Mantras
Mantra 1
शत्रुनाशनम्। चन्द्र यत् ते तपस्तेन तं प्रति तप यो३स्मान् द्वेष्टि यं वयं द्विष्मः
O Moon, with that tapas which is thine, with that do thou scorch him in return—who hateth us, whom we ourselves do hate.
Mantra 2
चन्द्र यत् ते हरस्तेन तं प्रति हर यो३स्मान् द्वेष्टि यं वयं द्विष्मः
O Moon, with that burning force of thine, bear him back in requital—him who hateth us, whom we ourselves do hate.
Mantra 3
चन्द्र यत् तेऽर्चिस्तेन तं प्रत्यर्च यो३स्मान् द्वेष्टि यं वयं द्विष्मः
O Moon, with that beam of thine, shine thou back upon him—who hateth us, whom we do hate.
Mantra 4
चन्द्र यत् ते शोचिस्तेन तं प्रति शोच यो३स्मान् द्वेष्टि यं वयं द्विष्मः
O Moon, with that thy burning lustre—therewith scorch him back again, who hateth us, whom we ourselves do hate.
Mantra 5
चन्द्र यत् ते तेजस्तेन तमतेजसं कृणु यो३स्मान् द्वेष्टि यं वयं द्विष्मः
O Moon, with that splendour which is thine, thereby make him splendourless—who hateth us, whom we in turn do hate.
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Candra to use his burning force (haras) and radiance (tejas) to turn back hostility onto the aggressor and to make the enemy ‘without tejas,’ i.e., ineffective and unable to harm.
In Atharvavedic terms it is retaliatory-apotropaic: it protects by reversal (prati-hara). The hymn’s language targets “the one who hates us,” framing the act as requital rather than unprovoked aggression.
The verses themselves emphasize lunar haras/tejas rather than naming specific plants. In practice, simple supports like clean water for sprinkling or a white thread/cloth may be used, but they are ancillary to the recitation and intention.