Mantra 9
Sukta 4
ये पाकशंसं विहरन्त एवैर्ये वा भद्रं दूषयन्ति स्वधाभिः । अहये वा तान् प्रददातु सोम आ वा दधातु निरृतेरुपस्थे
yé pā́kaśaṃsaṃ víharanta eváiḥ yé vā bhadráṃ dū́ṣayanti svadhā́bhiḥ | áhaye vā tā́n pradádātu sóma ā́ vā dadhātu nírṛter upásthe ||
They who with such devices spread abroad malicious slander, or who by their own wilful powers mar our welfare—unto the Serpent let Soma deliver them, or set them down within the lap of Nirṛti.
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (anukramaṇī attribution varies)
Devata: Soma (with Ahi and Nirṛti as destinations/agents)
Chandas: Triṣṭubh-like (as transmitted)
{"primary_rasa":"raudra","secondary_rasa":"bhayankara","emotional_arc":"From identification of covert harm → formal condemnation → decisive deposition into Nirṛti.","listener_experience":"A sense of stern protection and moral clarity; anger transmuted into ritual finality.","intensity":8}