Sukta 103
Rishi: Atharvanic seer-tradition
Devata: Bṛhaspati, Savitar, Mitra, Aryaman, Bhaga, the Aśvins (collective guarantors of binding/protection)
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (probable)
Mantras
Mantra 1
शत्रुनाशनम्। संदानं वो बृहस्पतिः संदानं सविता करत्। संदानं मित्रो अर्यमा संदानं भगो अश्विना
A fastening for you let Bṛhaspati provide; a fastening let Savitar make. A fastening—Mitra and Aryaman; a fastening—Bhaga and the Aśvins twain.
Mantra 2
सं परमान्त्समवमानथो सं द्यामि मध्यमान्। इन्द्रस्तान् पर्यहार्दाम्ना तानग्ने सं द्या त्वम्
The highest I bind together, together the lowest; yea, together I bind the middle. Indra hath smitten them round about with a cord; those, O Agni, do thou bind fast together.
Mantra 3
अमी ये युधमायन्ति केतून् कृत्वानीकशः । इन्द्रस्तान् पर्यहार्दाम्न तानग्ने सं द्या त्वम्
Those who come on to battle, having set their signals, troop by troop—Indra hath smitten them round about with a cord; those, O Agni, do thou bind fast together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Saṃdāna means a fastening or binding—both a physical ligature (cord, knot, band) and a sacred restraint backed by divine authority, used to secure protection and restrain hostility.
Its primary mode is Abhicārika (coercive restraint) expressed as binding and immobilization of enemies, but it functions simultaneously as Rakṣa: it creates a protective enclosure for the client by neutralizing threats.
A cord (dāman/saṃdāna) is held and knotted during recitation to mirror the verbal binding; it may then be worn as an amulet or placed at a threshold/standard to seal protection and symbolically bind the hostile force.