Sukta 56
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (often transmitted under Atharvan/Angiras lineages; specific r̥ṣi not stated in the provided excerpt)
Devata: Sarpa/Ahi (serpent-kinds) addressed through propitiation; gods invoked as restrainers
Chandas: Predominantly Anuṣṭubh (with Atharvanic cadence)
この短い護呪（rakṣā）の讃歌は、蛇害からの守護を得るため、蛇類への宥めの礼拝（namo）と、咬傷を無力化する強い「縛り・封じ」の呪法とを併せ用いる。神々にアヒ（蛇）を抑え、突進して出て来られぬよう制し給えと願い、ついで儀礼的な言葉によって蛇の牙・顎・舌・口を閉ざし、毒と危難を鎮めて家族全体を守る。
Mantras
Mantra 1
सर्पेभ्यो रक्षणम्। मा नो॑ देवा॒ अहि॑र्वधी॒त् सतो॑कान्त्स॒हपु॑रुषान्। सम्य॑तं॒ न वि ष्प॑रद् व्यात्तं॒ न सं य॑म॒न्नमो॑ देवज॒नेभ्यः॑।।१।। नमो॑ऽस्त्वसि॒ताय॒ नम॒स्तिर॑श्चिराजये । स्व॒जाय॑ ब॒भ्रवे॒ नमो॒ नमो॑ देवज॒नेभ्यः॑
（蛇よりの護り）神々よ、蛇（ahi）に我らを殺させるな――子らとともに、家の者すべてとともに。彼を縛られた者のようにして、外へ走り出させるな。顎を大きく開いた者のようであっても、再び閉じさせよ。神々の族（神の諸類）に敬礼。アシタ（Asita）に敬礼、ティラシュチラージャ（Tirascirāja）に敬礼。自生の者に、褐色の者に、敬礼、敬礼。神々の族に敬礼。
Mantra 2
सं ते॑ हन्मि द॒ता द॒तः समु॑ ते॒ हन्वा॒ हनू॑ । सं ते॑ जि॒ह्वया॑ जि॒ह्वां सम्वा॒स्नाह॑ आ॒स्यऽम्
我は歯をもって汝の歯を打ち、歯をもって歯を制す。我は顎をもって汝の顎を閉ざし、顎をもって顎を封ず。我は舌をもって汝の舌を閉じ、舌をもって舌を抑える。我は吻（はな）と息とをもって汝の口を封じる。
Frequently Asked Questions
It is used for protection from serpents—preventing attack and neutralizing the bite by ritually restraining the serpent and ‘closing’ its mouth-organs through mantra.
In Atharvanic practice, respectful address and correct naming pacify dangerous classes of beings; the namo-formula functions as propitiation and as a sealing act of restraint.
Its primary intent is preventive and apotropaic (rakṣā) and includes stambhana (disabling the bite). In lived practice it may be recited in emergencies, but it is not a full medical protocol by itself.
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