Mythology & Folklore
Atharva Veda 4.17: A charm to secure freedom from various evils
Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1895–96) · From The Hymns of the Atharva-Veda (1895–96)
We seize and hold thee, Conquering One! the queen of medi-cines that heal.
O Plant, I have endowed thee with a hundred powers for every man,
Still conquering, banishing the curse, mighty, with thy reverted.
bloom.
Thee and all Plants have I invoked: Hence let it save us! was my prayer.
She who hath cursed us with a curse, or hath conceived a murderous sin, Or seized our son to take his blood, may she devour the child she bare.
What magic they have wrought for thee in dish unbaked or burnt dark-red, What they have wrought in flesh undressed,—conquer the sorcerers therewith.
Ill dream and wretchedness of life, Rākshasa, monster, stingy hags, All the she-fiends of evil name and voice, we drive away from us.
Death caused by famine, caused by thirst, failure of children,.
loss of kine, With thee, O Apāmārga, all this ill we cleanse and wipe away.
Death caused by thirst, death caused by stress of hunger, loss at play with dice, All this, O Apāmārga with thine aid we cleanse and wipe away.
The Apāmārga is alone the sovran of all Plants that grow.
With this we wipe away whate'er hath fallen on thee: go in health!
Cite this poem
MLA
Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 4.17: A charm to secure freedom from various evils.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/110/.
Chicago
Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 4.17: A charm to secure freedom from various evils.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/110/.
Read this poem with the Codex →