Mythology & Folklore

Atharva Veda 6.50: A charm for the destruction of vermin

by The Rishis of the Atharva Veda c. 1200–900 BCE (traditional; uncertain)

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1895–96) · From The Hymns of the Atharva-Veda (1895–96)

Mythology & Folklore

Destroy the rat, the mole, the boring beetle, cut off their heads and crush their ribs, O Asvins.
Bind fast their mouths; let them not eat our barley: so guard, ye twain, our growing corn from danger.

Ho! boring beetle, ho! thou worm, ho! noxious grub and grasshopper!
As a priest leaves the unfinished sacrifice, go hence devouring not, injuring not this corn.

Hearken to me, lord of the female borer, lord of the female grub! ye rough-toothed vermin!
Whate'er ye be, dwelling in woods, and piercing, we crush and mangle all those piercing insects.

MLA

Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 6.50: A charm for the destruction of vermin.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/213/.

Chicago

Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 6.50: A charm for the destruction of vermin.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/213/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by The Rishis of the Atharva Veda