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Hymns of the Atharva Veda, by Ralph T.H. Griffith, [1895], at sacred-texts.com


HYMN XVII

A prayer for protection from dangers in all directions

1Agni from eastward guard me with the Vasus! To him I go, in
   him I rest: this fort I seek for refuge.
  May he protect me, may he be my guardian. I give my soul—All
   hail! into his keeping.
2Vāyu with Air protect me from this region. To him I go, etc.
3May Soma from the south, with Rudras, guard me. To him, etc.
4Varuna with Ādityas guard me from this region! To him etc.
5Sūrya with Earth and Heaven from the western region guard me
   well. To him, etc.
6May Waters joined with Plants protect me from this region. To
   them I go, in them I rest: this fort I seek for refuge.
  May they protect me, may they be my guardians. I give my
   soul—All hail! —into their keeping.
7May Visvakarman with the Seven Rishis be my protector from
   the northern region. To him, etc.
8May Indra, Marut-girt, protect me from this region. To him,
   etc.
9Prajāpati, of generative power, with the Pratishlhā save me from
   the nadir! To him, etc.
10Brihaspati, joined by the Visvedevas, protect me from the region
   of the zenith! To him, I go, in him I rest; this fort I seek
   for refuge.
  May he protect me, may he be my guardian. I give my soul—
  All hail!—into his keeping.


Next: Hymn 18: A prayer for security and peace on all sides