Mythology & Folklore
Atharva Veda 7.56: A charm against poisonous bites and stings
Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1895–96) · From The Hymns of the Atharva-Veda (1895–96)
Whether it came from viper, from black snake or snake with transverse stripes, Or Kankaparvan's bite, this herb hath made the poison power-less.
Honey-born, honey-dropping, rich in honey, honeysweet, this herb, Is medicine that heals the wound and kills the gnat that bites and stings.
Whatever bit, or sucked thy blood, we summon thence away from thee The ineffectual poison of the little sharply-stinging gnat.
Thou here who crookest wicked jaws, thou tortuous, jointless, limbless thing, These jaws thou, Brāhmanaspati! shalt bend together like a reed.
This scorpion here that creeps along, low on the ground and powerless— I have removed his poison and then utterly demolished him.
No strength in thy two arms hast thou, nor in thy head, nor in thy waist: Then what is that small thing thou so viciously bearest in thy tail?
The emmets make a meal of thee and peahens tear and mangle thee: All ye are crying out, In sooth the scorpion's poison hath no strength.
Thou creature who inflictest wounds both with thy mouth and with thy tail, No poison in thy mouth hast thou: what at thy tail's root will there be?
Cite this poem
MLA
Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 7.56: A charm against poisonous bites and stings.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/358/.
Chicago
Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 7.56: A charm against poisonous bites and stings.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/358/.
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