Sukta 16
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (specific ṛṣi not securely determinable from the single mantra alone in isolation).
Devata: Prāṇa and Apāna (vital breaths) as deified life-agents; apotropaic opposition to Mṛtyu.
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh-like cadence (short protective formula; exact metrical classification is fluid for such svāhā-closures).
这则简短的阿闼婆吠陀护命咒（āyusya）以凝定生命之息——普拉那（Prāṇa）与阿帕那（Apāna）——来抵御死神摩利提优（Mṛtyu）的逼近。通过以“svāhā”封印的祈请，向诸生命风息以及宇宙守护者（苏利耶之眼、与一切诸神同在的毗湿瓦那罗之火神阿耆尼）致敬，建立护持的结界，旨在避除夭折或横死，并使生者的气息与身心复归安稳。
Mantras
Mantra 1
सुरक्षा प्राणा॑पानौ मृ॒त्योर्मा॑ पातं॒ स्वाहा॑
善护！噢普拉那与阿帕那（Prāṇa、Apāna），愿你们护持我免于死亡。娑嚩诃（Svāhā）！
Mantra 2
द्यावा॑पृथिवी॒ उप॑श्रुत्या मा पातं॒ स्वाहा॑
天与地啊，凭你们垂听的护佑，守护我：娑嚩诃（svāhā）。
Mantra 3
सूर्य॒ चक्षु॑षा मा पाहि॒ स्वाहा॑
苏利耶（Sūrya）啊，以汝之眼护佑我——娑嚩诃（svāhā）。
Mantra 4
अग्ने॑ वैश्वानर॒ विश्वै॑र्मा दे॒वैः पा॑हि॒ स्वाहा॑
阿耆尼·毗湿瓦那罗（Agni Vaiśvānara）啊，与一切诸天同在，护佑我——娑嚩诃（svāhā）。
Mantra 5
विश्वं॑भर॒ विश्वे॑न मा॒ भर॑सा पाहि॒ स्वाहा॑
遍持者（Viśvambhara）啊，以汝普遍之威力、以汝扶持之力护佑我——娑嚩诃（svāhā）。
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a life-protecting (āyusya) healing charm that asks Prāṇa and Apāna to guard the person from Death (Mṛtyu), then seals protection through Sūrya and Agni with svāhā.
A fire offering with ghee can be done if available, but in Atharvanic protective use, svāhā can also function as a verbal seal (mānasa-homa) when recited with focused intent.
It is used when someone is ill, weakened, fearful of danger, or facing ominous circumstances—especially where the aim is to stabilize vitality and avert premature or violent death.
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