Atharva Veda 19.48

To night: for protection

Now then what things we note, or what things are within the box, those things we commit to thee.

O night! mother! commit thou us to the dawn; let the dawn commit us to the day, the day to thee, O shining one (vibhādvarī).

Whatsoever flies here, whatsoever that is crawling (sarīsṛpá) is here, whatsoever creature is on the mountain—from that do thou, O night, protect us.

Do thou protect behind, thou in front, thou from above and from below; do thou guard us, O shining one; here we are, thy praisers.

They who follow (anu-sthā) the night, and who watch over beings, who defend all cattle—they watch over our selves (ātmán), they watch over our cattle.

Verily I know thy name, O night; thou art "ghee-dripping" (ghṛtā́cī) by name; as such Bharadvāja knows thee; do thou watch over our property.