Mythology & Folklore
Atharva Veda 19.30: A protective charm accompanying investiture with an amulet of Darbha grass
Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1895–96) · From The Hymns of the Atharva-Veda (1895–96)
Darbha, with that good shield of thine, of hundred guards tilt death in eld, Arm thou this man, and with thy might strike thou his adver-saries down.
Darbha, thou hast a hundred shields, thou hast a thousand.
manly powers.
All Gods have given thee to him to bear thee till extreme old age.
They call thee, ‘Darbha, shield of Gods, they call the Brāhmanas-pati.
They call thee shield of Indra: thou protectest kingdoms from attack.
Darbha, destroyer of the foe, vexing the hearts of enemies, An Amulet that strengthens rule I make thee, and the body's.
guard.
What time Parjanya roared to it with lightning flashes in the sea, Thence came the drop, the golden drop, thence Darbha into being sprang.
Cite this poem
MLA
Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 19.30: A protective charm accompanying investiture with an amulet of Darbha grass.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/498/.
Chicago
Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 19.30: A protective charm accompanying investiture with an amulet of Darbha grass.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/498/.
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More by The Rishis of the Atharva Veda
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- Atharva Veda 4.29: A hymn to Mitra-Varuna
- Atharva Veda 6.66: A charm for the destruction and plunder of enemies
- Atharva Veda 7.35: A prayer for the prosperity of a King and his kingdom
- Atharva Veda 10.7: Skambha, the Pillar or Fulcrum of all existence