Dhanurveda, Gandharva-veda, Sthapatya-veda and Arthasastra. The available
text (of the Saunaka branch) is a vast book, a conglomerate of incongruities.
Atharva Veda, A Brief Outline By Ratan Lal Basu Copyright 2011 Ratan Lal Basu Smashwords Edition Smashwords Edition, License Notes Thank you for downloading this free ebook. Although this is a free book, it remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial or noncommercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy at Smashwords.com, where they can also discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.
Contents Introduction Book-I: Charms to Cure Diseases and Possession by Demons of Disease Book-II: Prayers for Long Life and Health Book-III: Imprecations Against Demons, Sorcerers and Enemies Book-IV: Charms Pertaining to Women Book-V: Charms Pertaining to Royalty Book-VI: Charms to secure Harmony, Influence in the Assembly and the Like Book-VII: Charms to Secure Prosperity in House, Field, Cattle, Business, Gambling etc. Book-VIII: Charms in Expiation of Sin and Defilement Book-IX. Prayers and Imprecations in the Interest of the Brahmins Book-X: Cosmogonist and Theosophical Hymns The Author
Introduction A close study of the Atharva Veda (skipping the insertions from the Rig and Yajur Vedas) makes it clear that it is radically different from the three Vedas (Rik, Sam and Yajur) and it has nothing to do with the Vedic philosophy and world outlook. In fact, it could be treated as an Upa-Veda along with Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Gandharva-veda, Sthapatya-veda and Arthasastra. The available text (of the Saunaka branch) is a vast book, a conglomerate of incongruities. But it is not difficult to isolate the pure Atharva Vedic contents from the rest. In fact, the first 10 chapters contain pure Atharvan contents. The rest of the chapters (about two-thirds of the whole) are simply insertions from Samhitas and Brahmans from Rik Veda. Some times Atharva Veda is related to Arthasastra. The only Arthasastra text available is that of Kautilya who in his treatise has in some chapters suggested Atharvan practices, but this was simply to satisfy the superstitious common people. Otherwise, Arthasastra is a pragmatic text on state craft, economics and espionage and secular in spirit. It has, in essence, no relation with the Atharva Veda, based on primitive superstitions.
Similarly, Sthapatya Veda, a pragmatic treatise on architecture, can by no means be related to Atharva Veda. In the first book of the text, there are mentions of herbs for cure of diseases. This prompted some scholars to trace the origin of Ayurveda in the Atharva Veda. This is completely baseless. Primitive people had practical knowledge of curative power of many herbs, but they did not have any scientific theory or law of cure. Power of herbs to cure ailments was considered by them (as in the Atharva Veda) something supernatural related to deities or apparitions. On the other hand, Ayurveda is based on scientific approach towards human physiology, anatomy, causes of ailments and law of cure. Ayurveda is called the UpaVeda of the Rik Veda but there is hardly any direct relation between them. Similarly it is difficult to substantiate the view that Dhanurveda (science of warfare) is the Upa-Veda of the Yajur Veda. However, the relation between Sam Veda and its Upa-Veda Gandharvaveda (science of music) is distinctly clear. Atharva Veda is unique among the ancient Indian texts as it is completely non-Aryan in spirit. It depicts charms and occult practices that were characteristics of very primitive religion. So it may be presumed that the Atharvan concepts had originated much earlier than the Aryan Vedas (Rik, Sam and Yajur). In this booklet I present some selected section headings from the first ten chapters of the available text of the Atharva Veda. The numeral at the end of the name of each section indicates the number of hymns contained in that section. I’ve avoided repetitions. Still they may appear monotonous, boring and above all ludicrous to an enlightened mind. But I think it is worthwhile to have a look at the outline of the text as that would give an overall idea of what the Atharva Veda consists of. In fact, the superstitions of this text had considerable influence on various ancient Indian texts like the Dharmasastra of Manu (the available text of Manusmriti), Grihasutras etc. Primitive superstitions and black arts of the Atharva Veda along with idolatry, avatar cult, theory of rebirth, pessimism, nihilism etc. of Puranas, Jatakas and other Buddhist texts and Jain texts had brought about radical change in the postVedic Hindu culture and religion and Hindu Religion as popularly known today is radically different from the Vedic Monotheistic Religion. Athrva Veda has played a crucial role in this transformation of Hindu religion.
Book-I: Charms to Cure Diseases and Possession by Demons of Disease Section-1 Charm against excessive discharges from the body. 4 Charm against constipation and retention of urine. 9 Charm against dropsy. 4 Prayer to lightning, conceived as the cause of fever, headache, and cough. 4 Charm to stop the flow of blood. 4 Charm against jaundice and related diseases. 4 Leprosy cured by a dark plant. 4
Charm against takman (fever). 4 Section-2 Charm against excessive discharges from the body, undertaken with spring-water. 6 Charm with an amulet derived from the gangida tree, against diseases and demons. 6 Charm against kshetriya, hereditary disease. 5 Possession by demons of disease, cured by an amulet of ten kinds of wood. 5 Charm for obtaining long life and prosperity by transmission of disease. 7 Charm with the plant prisniparni against the demon of disease, called kanva. 5 Charm against worms. 5 Charm against worms in cattle. 6 Charm to secure perfect health. 7 Section-4 Charm to promote virility. 8 Charm against demons (pisacha) conceived as the cause of disease. 10 Charm against poison. 7 Charm with the plant arundhati (laksha) for the cure of fractures. 7 Charm with the plant agasringi to drive out Rakshas, Apsaras and Gandharvas. 12 Section-5 Prayer to the kushtha-plant to destroy takman (fever). 10 Charm with the plant silaki (laksha, arundhati) for the cure of wounds. 9 Charm against takman (fever) and related diseases. 14 Charm against worms in children. 13 Section-6 Charm against snake-poison. 11 Charm against the disease balasa. 3
Charm against ophthalmia. 4 Charm against takman (fever). 3 Charm to promote the growth of hair. 3 Dropsy, heart-disease, and kindred maladies cured by flowing water. 3 Charm against scrofulous sores upon neck and shoulders. 3 Charm for driving away demons (Rakshas and Pisâkas). 3 Charm against excessive discharges from the body. 3 Urine (galasha) as a cure for scrofulous sores. 3 An oblation to the sun, conceived as one of the two heavenly dogs, as a cure for paralysis. 3 Charm for curing scrofulous sores called apakit. 4 Exorcism of disease by means of an amulet from the varana-tree. 3 Charm against internal pain (colic), due to the missiles of Rudra. 3 Barley and water as universal remedies. 3 Plants as a panacea. 3 Ants as an antidote against poison. 3 Charm against cough. 3 The pepper-corn as a cure for wounds. 3 Charm against mania. 4 The kipudru-tree as a panacea. 3 Charm with the plant nitatni to promote the growth of hair. 3 Charm to promote the growth of hair. 3 Section-7 Charm against the poison of serpents, scorpions, and insects. 8 Charm for curing scrofulous sores called apakit. 2 Charm to appease jealousy. 1
Prayer to Agni, the lord of vows. 1 Charm for curing tumours called gayanya. 3 Stanza sung at the mid-day pressure of the soma. 1 Charm against dropsy. 4 Charm against takman (fever). 2 Section-8 Hymn to all magic and medicinal plants, used as a universal remedy. 28 Section-19 Charm to procure immunity from all diseases. 22 Charm with an amulet derived from the gafigpida-tree, aoainst diseases and demons. 9 The healing properties of bdellium. 2 Prayer to the kushtha-plant to destroy takman (fever), and other ailments. 10
Book-II: Prayers for Long Life and Health Section-2 Prayer for long life pronounced over a boy. 5 Section-3 Prayer for health and long life. 11 Section-4 Salve (angana) as a protector of life and limb. 10 The pearl and its shell as an amulet bestowing long life and prosperity. 7 Section-5 Prayer for exemption from disease and death. 17 Section-7 Prayer for long life. 7
Section-8 Prayer for exemption from the dangers of death. 28 Section-9 Gold as an amulet for long life. 4
Book-III: Imprecations Against Demons, Sorcerers and Enemies Section-1 Charm with lead, against demons and sorcerers. 4 Section-2 Charm against curses and hostile plots, undertaken with a certain plant. 5 Imprecation against enemies thwarting holy work. 8 Charm against a variety of female demons, conceived as hostile to men, cattle, and home. 6 The asvattha-tree as a destroyer of enemies. 8 Against vishkandha and kabava (hostile demons). 6 Section-4 Prayer to Varuna for protection against treacherous designs. 9 Charm with the apamarga-plant, against sorcery, demons and enemies. 8 Charm with the apamarga-plant, against sorcerers and demons. 8 Mystic power of the apamarga-plant, against demons and sorcerers. 8 Charm with a certain plant (sadampushpa) which exposes demons and enemies. 9 Section-5 Charm to repel sorceries or spells. 13 Section-6 The soma-oblation directed against Demons (rakshas). 3 Oblation for the suppression of enemies (nairbadhyam havih). 3 Section-7
Charm to deprive enemies of their strength. 2 Curse against one that practices hostile charms. 3 Charm with the apamarga-plant, against curses, and the consequences of sinful deeds. 3 Frustration of the sacrifice of an enemy. 5 Section-8 Prayer for protection addressed to a talisman made from wood of the sraktya-tree. 22 Section-10 Charm to repel sorceries or spells. 32
Book-IV: Charms Pertaining to Women Section-1 Charm for easy parturition Charm with licorice, to secure the love of a woman A woman's incantation against her rival. 4 Charm to remove evil bodily characteristics from a woman. 4 Section-2 Charm to obtain a husband Section-3 Charm for obtaining a son (pumsavanam). 6 Charm to arouse the passionate love of a woman. 6 Charm of a woman against a rival or co-wife. 6 Section-4 Charm at an assignation. 7 Section-6 A bracelet as an amulet to ensure conception. 3
Charm to prevent miscarriage. 4 Charm to secure the love of a woman. 3 Charm to arouse the passionate love of a man. 5 Charm to cause the return of a truant woman. 3 Charm for obtaining a son (pumsavanam). 3 Charm to allay jealousy. 3 Charm for depriving a man of his virility. 5 Expiatory charm for a child born under an unlucky star. 3 Expiation for the irregular appearance of the first pair of teeth. 3 Section-7 Love-charm spoken by a bridal couple. 1 Charm pronounced by the bride over the bridegroom. 1 Charm to arouse the passionate love of a woman. 5 Charm to secure the love of a man. 5 An incantation to make a woman sterile. 3
Book-V: Charms Pertaining to Royalty Section-1 Prayer for earthly and heavenly success. 4 Battle-charm against arrow-wounds. 4 Section-3 Charm for the restoration of an exiled king. 6 Prayer at the election of a king. 7 Praise of an amulet derived from the parna-tree, designed to strengthen royal power. 8 Battle-charm for confusing the enemy. 5 Battle-charm for confusing the enemy. 6
Section-4 Prayer at the consecration of a king. 7 Charm to secure the superiority of a king. 7 Section-5 Hymn to the battle-drum. 12 Hymn to the battle-drum, the terror of the enemy. 12 Section-6 Prayer for lustre and power. 4 Prayer for glory (yasas). 3 Battle-charm of a king on the eve of battle. 3 Section-8 Battle-charm. 24 Section-9 Prayer to Arbudi and Nyarbudi for help in battle. 26 Prayer to Trishamdhi for help in battle. 27
Book-VI: Charms to secure Harmony, Influence in the Assembly and the Like Section-2 Charm against opponents in debate, undertaken with the pâtâ-plant. 7 Section-3 Charm to secure harmony. 7 Section-6 Charm to allay discord. 3 Charm to appease anger. 3 Charm to bring about submission to one's will. 3
Section-7 Charm against strife and bloodshed. 2 Charm to procure influence in the assembly. 4
Book-VII: Charms to secure prosperity in house, field, cattle, business, gambling etc. Section-2 Charm for the prosperity of cattle. 5 Section-3 Charm for the prosperity of cattle. 6 Prayer at the building of a house. 9 Charm for conducting a river into a new channel. 7 Formula in expiation of the birth of twin-calves 6 A merchant's prayer. 8 Section-4 Shepherd's charm against wild beasts and robbers. 7 Prayer for success in gambling. 4 Prayer to secure the return of calves that have strayed to a distance. 3 Prayer to Bhava and Sarva for protection from calamities. 7 Section-6 Blessing during the sowing of seed. 3 Charm for procuring increase of grain. 3 Exorcism of vermin infesting grain in the field. 3 Prayer to the plant arundhatî for protection to cattle. 3 Charm to secure the attachment of a cow to her calf. 3 Charm to endow a horse with swiftness. 3 Charm to ward off danger from fire. 2
Exorcism of serpents from the premises. 3 Propitiation of the weather-prophet. 4 Prayer against mental delinquency. 3 Charm to avert evil. 3 Expiatory formula for imperfections in the sacrifice. 3 Expiatory formulas for sins. 3 Expiation for the precedence of a younger brother over an older. 3 Expiation for certain heinous crimes. 3 Prayer for heaven after remission of sins. 3 Charm against pigeons regarded as ominous birds. 3 Charm against ominous pigeons and owls. 3 Exorcism of evil dreams. 3 Section-7 Charm to protect grain from lightning. 1 Prayer for success at dice. 9 Expiation when one is defiled by a black bird of omen. 2 Charm for the removal of evil characteristics, and the acquisition of auspicious ones. 4 Charm for finding lost property. 4 Section-10 Charm against serpents, invoking the horse of Pedu that slays serpents. 26 Section-11 Prayer to Bhava and Sarva for protection from dangers. 31 Prayer for deliverance from calamity, addressed to the entire pantheon. 23
Book-VIII: Charms in Expiation of Sin and Defilement
Section-6 Prayer against mental delinquency 3 Charm to avert evil 3 Expiatory formula for imperfections in the sacrifice 3 Expiatory formulas for sins 3 Expiation for the precedence of a younger brother over an older 3 Expiation for certain heinous crimes 3 Prayer for heaven after remission of sins 3 Charm against pigeons regarded as ominous birds 3 Charm against ominous pigeons and owls 3 Exorcism of evil dreams 3 Section-7 Expiation when one is defiled by a black bird of omen 2 Charm for the removal of evil characteristics, and the acquisition of auspicious ones 4
Book-IX. Prayers and Imprecations in the Interest of the Brahmins Section-5 Imprecation against the oppressors of Brahmans. 15 Prayer to appease Arati, the demon of grudge and avarice. 10 Section-6 Brahmanical prayer at the receipt of gifts. 3 hymns Section-9 Removal of a house that has been presented to a priest as sacrificial reward. 31 Section-11 The preparation of the brahmaudana, the porridge given as a fee to the Brahmans. 37 Section-12
The preparation of the brahmaudana, the porridge given as a fee to the Brahmans. 60 The necessity of giving away sterile cows to the Brahmans. 53
Book-X: Cosmogonist and Theosophical Hymns Section-9 Hymn to the honey-lash of the Asvins. 24 Prayer to Kama (sex-love), personified as a primordial power. 25 Section-11 Prana, life or breath, personified as the supreme spirit. 26 Glorification of the sun, or the primeval principle, as a Brahman disciple. 26 Apotheosis of the ucchhishta, the leavings of the sacrifice. 27 Section-12 Hymn to goddess Earth. 63 Section-13 Prayer for sovereign power addressed to the god Rohita and his female Rohinî. 60 Section-19 Prayer to Kala (time), personified as a primordial power. 10 ###
The Author
The author of this booklet is a Ph.D. in economics and professionally an economist but his passion for knowledge compels him at times to eschew the arena of economics and venture into other fields of
knowledge, philosophy and religion are important among them. Dr. Basu may be contacted at
[email protected]. To Top
