Sukta 17
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (anonymous/collective in many paustika units)
Devata: Dhātṛ, Savitṛ, Prajāpati, Agni, Tvaṣṭṛ, Viṣṇu (prosperity-and-progeny complex)
Chandas: Triṣṭubh-like cadence (mixed/irregular in AV transmission)
Mantras
Mantra 1
द्रविणार्थ प्रार्थना। धाता दधातु नो रयिमीशानो जगतस्पतिः । स नः पूर्णेन यच्छतु
A prayer for substance: Let Dhātṛ bestow on us wealth—he, the sovereign, the lord of the moving world. Let him deal it out to us in fullness.
Mantra 2
धाता दधातु दाशुषे प्राचीं जीवातुक्षिताम्। वयं देवस्य धीमहि सुमतिं विश्वराधसः
Let Dhātṛ bestow upon the offerer a forward-advancing, life-sustaining habitation. We take to heart the god’s good favour, he that hath all bounties.
Mantra 3
धाता विश्वा वार्या दधातु प्रजाकामाय दाशुषे दुरोणे। तस्मै देवाअमृतं सं व्ययन्तु विश्वे देवा अदितिः सजोषाः
Let Dhātṛ bestow all choicest goods, within the house, upon the offerer who desireth offspring. For him let the Gods together spread abroad immortality—yea, all the Gods, and Aditi, in one accord.
Mantra 4
धाता रातिः सवितेदं जुषन्तां प्रजापतिर्निधिपतिर्नो अग्निः । त्वष्टा विष्णुः प्रजया संरराणो यजमानाय द्रविणं दधातु
May Dhātṛ and the Gift, may Savitṛ take pleasure in this; may Prajāpati, the Lord of treasure, our Agni. Tvaṣṭṛ and Viṣṇu, rejoicing together with progeny, bestow upon the sacrificer substance and wealth.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is recited to stabilize household prosperity—securing a life-supporting dwelling, material goods, wealth (draviṇa), and especially progeny for the yajamāna.
The sukta aims at a ‘complete’ boon (home + wealth + offspring). Dhātṛ establishes, Savitṛ impels, Prajāpati governs progeny/treasure, Agni carries the offering, Tvaṣṭṛ fashions fertility, and Viṣṇu sustains expansion—together ensuring unanimous success.
Ideally it accompanies a simple domestic offering into Agni, since the hymn asks the gods to ‘take pleasure in this.’ In practice, it can also be recited as a household prayer with a symbolic or mental offering when fire is unavailable.