Sukta 70
Rishi: Atharvanic/Angiras-type attribution (hymn-level tradition; specific r̥ṣi uncertain from the given excerpt alone)
Devata: Agni (ghora), with Manyu (wrath) as operative power
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (probable; short pādas consistent with AV anuṣṭubh usage)
Mantras
Mantra 1
शत्रुदमनम्। यत् किं चासौ मनसा यच्च वाचा यज्ञैर्जुहोति हविषा यजुषा । तन्मृत्युना निरृतिः संविदाना पुरा सत्यादाहुतिं हन्त्वस्य
Whatsoever that man, by mind or by speech, by sacrifices, with oblation, with yajus-formula, doth offer—let Nirṛti, leagued with Death, smite his offering beforehand, ere it become effectual and true.
Mantra 2
यातुधाना निरृतिरादु रक्षस्ते अस्य घ्नन्त्वनृतेन सत्यम्। इन्द्रेषिता देवा आज्यमस्य मथ्नन्तु मा तत् सं पादि यदसौ जुहोति
Let yātudhānas, Nirṛti, and the rākṣas smite his truth with untruth. Let the Gods, urged on by Indra, confound his ghee; let not that which yonder man offers come to full accomplishment.
Mantra 3
अजिराधिराजौ श्येनौ संपातिनाविव । आज्यं पृतन्यतो हतां यो नः कश्चाभ्यघायति
Like two hawks, swift and sovereign, swooping down together—let them smite the ghee of the battling man, whosoever bears malice against us.
Mantra 4
अपाञ्चौ त उभौ बाहू अपि नह्याम्यास्यऽम्। अग्नेर्देवस्य मन्युना तेन तेऽवधिषं हविः
Backward I turn and bind both thine arms upon this man. With the wrath of Agni the God—therewith have I smitten thee; thy oblation is struck down.
Mantra 5
अपि नह्यामि ते बाहू अपि नह्याम्यास्यऽम्। अग्नेर्घोरस्य मन्युना तेन तेऽवधिषं हविः
I bind fast thy arms; I bind fast thy mouth. With the dread wrath of Agni—therewith I have smitten thee down, (using) the oblation.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is used to restrain a hostile person or force—binding their ability to act (arms) and speak (mouth)—and to prevent an opponent’s ritual offering from succeeding.
Agni is invoked in a fierce, punitive form, and Manyu (wrath) is the energizing power that ‘strikes down’ the opponent and nullifies their oblation.
No. The text’s implied essentials are a simple oblation (havis/ājya, typically ghee) and a binding cord to enact the mantra’s ‘I bind’ statements; the rest is gesture and recitation.