Sukta 54
Rishi: Atharvanic/Angirasa tradition (as typical for rāṣṭra- and kṣatra-formulas in AV 6; exact r̥ṣi assignment depends on Anukramaṇī).
Devata: Agni-Soma (dual)
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (probable; AV 6 commonly uses anuṣṭubh—confirm by syllable count in critical edition)
Mantras
Mantra 1
अमित्रदम्भनम्। इ॒दं तद् यु॒ज उत्त॑र॒मिन्द्रं॑ शुम्भा॒म्यष्ट॑ये । अ॒स्य क्ष॒त्रं श्रियं॑ म॒हीं वृ॒ष्टिरि॑व वर्धया॒ तृण॑म्
The humbling of the foe. This—yea, that superior harnessing—I set Indra in splendour for aid. Increase for him his kingly power, his great prosperity, as rain (makes grow) the grass.
Mantra 2
अ॒स्मै क्ष॒त्रम॑ग्नीषोमाव॒स्मै धा॑रयतं र॒यिम्। इ॒मं रा॒ष्ट्रस्या॑भीव॒र्गे कृ॑णु॒तं यु॒ज उत्त॑रम्
For him uphold ye royal might, O Agni-Soma; for him sustain ye wealth. In this realm’s on-rush and encounter make ye the yoked ally the upper, the victorious.
Mantra 3
सब॑न्धु॒श्चास॑बन्धुश्च॒ यो अ॒स्मां अ॑भि॒दास॑ति । सर्वं॒ तं र॑न्धयासि मे॒ यज॑मानाय सुन्व॒ते
Whether with kindred or without kindred, whoso assaileth us in hate—him wholly dost thou bring to submission for me, for the sacrificer who presseth.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is used to strengthen a ruler or patron’s sovereignty (kṣatra), secure prosperity (rayi/śrī), and ensure superiority in confrontations while forcing hostile opponents into submission.
Agni–Soma function as the paired sacrificial powers that legitimize and sustain rule: they ‘hold up’ royal might and wealth and help the patron prevail in the realm’s encounters.
The verses themselves do not require substances; it can be performed as recitation alone. Some traditions may add a simple protective cord or charm as a symbolic support of kṣatra.
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