HYMN XVII

A prayer for protection from dangers in all directions

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.
Vayu with Air protect me from this region. To him I go, etc.
May Soma from the south, with Rudras, guard me. To him, etc.
Varuna with Adityas guard me from this region! To him etc.
Surya with Earth and Heaven from the western region guard me
well. To him, etc.
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.
May Visvakarman with the Seven Rishis be my protector from
the northern region. To him, etc.
May Indra, Marut-girt, protect me from this region. To him,
etc.
Prajapati, of generative power, with the Pratishlha save me from
the nadir! To him, etc.
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.