Love

Atharva Veda 7.38: A maiden's love-charm

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)

Love

I dig this Healing Herb that makes my lover look on me and weep; That bids the parting friend return and kindly greets him as he comes.

This Herb wherewith the Asuri drew Indra downward from the Gods, With this same Herb I draw thee close that I may be most dear to thee.

Thou art the peer of Soma, yea, thou art the equal of the Sun, The peer of all the Gods art thou: therefore we call thee hither— ward.

I am the speaker here, not thou: speak thou where the assembly meets.
Thou shalt be mine and only mine, and never mention other dames.

If thou art far away beyond the rivers, far away from men, This Herb shall seem to bind thee fast and bring thee back my prisoner.

MLA

Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 7.38: A maiden's love-charm.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/340/.

Chicago

Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 7.38: A maiden's love-charm.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/340/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by The Rishis of the Atharva Veda