Sukta 18
अलक्ष्मीनाशनम्। निर्लक्ष्म्यं ऽ ललाम्यं१ निररातिं सुवामसि । अथ या भद्रा तानि नः प्रजाया अरातिं नयामसि
nír-lakṣmyàṃ ’ lalāmyáṃ́ nír-arā́tiṃ suvāmasi | átha yā́ bhadrā́ tā́ni naḥ prajā́yā arā́tiṃ nayāmasi ||
Ill-fortune, the ominous blemish, and hostile non-giving—these we waft away. Then that which is auspicious, those [good powers] for us—for progeny—we lead on; and we lead away the hostility.
ਅਲਕਸ਼ਮੀ-ਨਾਸ਼ਨ। ਨਿਰਲਕਸ਼ਮੀ, ਅਪਸ਼ਕੁਨ-ਚਿੰਨ੍ਹ (ਲਲਾਮੀ), ਅਤੇ ਵੈਰੀਪੁਣੇ ਵਾਲਾ ਅ-ਦਾਨ—ਇਹ ਸਭ ਅਸੀਂ ਦੂਰ ਵਗਾ ਦੇਂਦੇ ਹਾਂ। ਫਿਰ ਜੋ ਭਦ੍ਰ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਸ਼ੁਭ ਸ਼ਕਤੀਆਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਲਈ—ਸੰਤਾਨ ਲਈ—ਅੱਗੇ ਲਿਆਉਂਦੇ ਹਾਂ; ਅਤੇ ਵੈਰ ਨੂੰ ਦੂਰ ਹੰਕਾ ਦੇਂਦੇ ਹਾਂ।
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (often attributed broadly to Atharvan/Angiras circles for alakṣmī-expulsion hymns; specific r̥ṣi assignment depends on anukramaṇī).
Devata: Alakṣmī (as the expelled misfortune) and Bhadrā/Śrī (as the attracted auspicious fortune); also the abstract power of Arāti as obstruction.
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (probable; standard for many AV domestic/apotropaic verses—confirmable by full metrical count in critical edition).
{"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"adbhuta","emotional_arc":"From anxious presence of ill-omens to calm confidence and welcoming auspiciousness.","listener_experience":"Relief and uplift; sense of fresh start and cleared space.","intensity":3}