Atharva Veda · 526 of 724

HYMN XVII

A prayer for protection from dangers in all directions 1. Agni 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. 2. Vāyu with Air protect me from this region. To him I go, etc. 3. May Soma from the south, with Rudras, guard me. To him, etc. 4. Varuna with Ādityas guard me from this region! To him etc. 5. Sūrya with Earth and Heaven from the western region guard me    well. To him, etc. 6. May 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. 7. May Visvakarman with the Seven Rishis be my protector from    the northern region. To him, etc. 8. May Indra, Marut-girt, protect me from this region. To him,    etc. 9. Prajāpati, of generative power, with the Pratishlhā save me from    the nadir! To him, etc. 10. Brihaspati, 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.