Dashati 5
Agni as the heart-delighting, ever-wakeful power who impels and protects the sacrifice
Agni
Invocatory and energizing with a protective/apotropaic turn in the closing strain
R̥ṣi attributions are not provided in the input; several verses require Rigvedic mapping to identify seer families. The collection reflects mixed provenance typical of Sāman selection by ritual function rather than single-family authorship.
Applicable within Soma liturgy where Agni is kindled/strengthened by chant and Soma is ritually identified as ‘belonging’ to the deity; the Apvā verse aligns with protective (rakṣohā) intent alongside Soma proceedings.
Mantras
Mantra 1
अमीषां चित्तं प्रतिलोभयन्ती गृहाणाङ्गान्यप्वे परेहि अभि प्रेहि निर्दह हृत्सु शोकैरन्धेनामित्रास्तमसा सचन्ताम्
Deluding the minds of these (foes), seize their limbs, O Apvā; go forth against them, advance upon them; burn them with heart-griefs: let the enemies be encompassed with blinding darkness.
Mantra 2
प्रेता जयता नर इन्द्रो वः शर्म यच्छतु उग्रा वः सन्तु बाहवो ऽनाधृष्या यथासथ
Advance, O men, and conquer; may Indra bestow upon you protection; may your arms be mighty, unassailable, that ye may so remain.
Mantra 3
अवसृष्टा परा पत शरव्ये ब्रह्मसंशिते गच्छामित्रान्प्र पद्यस्व मामीषां कं च नोच्छिषः
Discharged, fly forth, O arrow, whetted by sacred prayer; go, fall upon the foes; harm not any one of these (our people), nor linger (to our injury).
Frequently Asked Questions
It centers on energizing Agni through praise and presenting divine wakefulness as the quality that draws hymns and chants to their proper deity, ensuring the sacrifice succeeds.
Soma is ritualized as a willing ally: the verse portrays Soma declaring ‘I am yours’ to the wakeful divine presence, expressing alignment and cooperation within the sacrifice.
Apvā appears as a repellent/destructive agency used for protection. The commands to delude, seize, and burn are apotropaic—meant to paralyze hostile forces and shield the rite from enemies or obstructers.