Mantra 1

Sukta 118

Sanskrit (Devanagari)

वर्मधारणम्। मर्माणि ते वर्मणा छादयामि सोमस्त्वा राजामृतेनानु वस्ताम्। उरोर्वरीयो वरुणस्ते कृणोतु जयन्तं त्वानु देवा मदन्तु

IAST Transliteration

mármāṇi te vármaṇā chādayāmi sómas tvā rā́jā amŕ̥tenā́nu vastām | urór varī́yo váruṇas te kr̥ṇotu jáyantaṃ tvā́nu devā́ madantu

English Translation (Griffith/Whitney)

Thy vital parts I cover with armour: let Soma the King clothe thee round with immortality. Let Varuṇa make for thee a broader, safer space; let the Gods rejoice, attending thee victorious.

Word by Word

वर्मधारणम्(this) putting-on/assumption of armour (protective covering)

मर्माणिvital parts, vulnerable points

तेof you, your

वर्मणाwith armour; with a protective covering

छादयामिI cover

सोमःSoma

त्वाyou

राजाking

अमृतेनwith immortality; with ambrosia

अनुalong, after; in accordance

वस्ताम्may he clothe/cover (you); may he dwell (with you)

उरोःthan the broad/wide (one); of the wide

वरीयःwider, more spacious

वरुणःVaruṇa

तेfor you, to you

कृणोतुlet him make; may he make

जयन्तम्victorious; conquering

त्वाyou

अनुafter; along

देवाःthe gods

मदन्तुmay they rejoice (in/over you); may they be glad

Attribution

Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (requires Anukramaṇī confirmation).

Devata: Soma, Varuṇa, and the Viśve Devāḥ (collectively).

Chandas: Mixed/likely Triṣṭubh-like cadence (needs metrical verification; verse is longer than standard Anuṣṭubh).

Mantra Rasa

{"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"vira","emotional_arc":"From careful covering → infusion of amṛta → widening safety → quiet victorious assurance.","listener_experience":"A calm, protected fullness; confidence without agitation.","intensity":5}