Mythology & Folklore
Atharva Veda 5.8: A charm for the discomfiture and destruction of hostile priests
Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1895–96) · From The Hymns of the Atharva-Veda (1895–96)
With fuel of Vikankata bring molten butter to the Gods.
O Agni, make them joyful here: let them all come unto my call.
O Indra, come unto my call, This will I do. So hear it thou.
Let these exertions for the sake of Indra guide my wish aright.
Therewith, O Jātavedas, Lord of Bodies! may we win us strength.
Whatever plot from yonder, O ye Gods, that godless man would frame, Let not the Gods come to his call, nor Agni bear his offering up.
Come, ye, come hither to my call.
Run, ye Fxertions, farther on By Indra's order smite and slay.
As a wolf worrieth a sheep, so let not him escape from you while life remains. Stop fast his breath.
The Brāhman whom those yonder have appointed priest, for injury, He, Indra! is beneath thy feet. I cast him to the God of Death.
If they have issued forth, strongholds of Gods, and made their shield of prayer, Gaining protection for their lives, protection round about, make all their instigation powerless.
Exertions which that man hath made, Exertions which he yet will make Turn them, O Indra, back again, O Vritra-slayer, back again on him that they may kill that man.
As Indra, having seized him, set his foot upon Udvāchana, Even so for all the coming years I cast those men beneath my feet.
Here, Indra Vritra-slayer, in thy strength pierce thou their vital.
parts.
Here, even here, attack them, O Indra. Thine own dear friend am I.
Indra, we closely cling to thee. May we be in thy favouring grace.
Cite this poem
MLA
Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 5.8: A charm for the discomfiture and destruction of hostile priests.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/140/.
Chicago
Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 5.8: A charm for the discomfiture and destruction of hostile priests.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/140/.
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