Mythology & Folklore
Atharva Veda 19.33: A protective and benedictive charm
Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1895–96) · From The Hymns of the Atharva-Veda (1895–96)
Hundred stemmed, succulent, and worth a thousand, the Royal Rite of plants, the Water's Agni, Let this same Darbha guard us from all quarters. This Godlike Amulet shall with life endow us.
Drawn forth from butter, juicy, sweetly-flavoured, firm as the earth, unshaken, overthrowing.
Driving off foes and casting them beneath me, mount with the strength of mighty Ones, O Darbha.
Thou movest o'er the earth with vigour: lovely in sacrifice thou sittest on the altar.
The Rishis bear thee as a purifier: cleanse thou us from all evil deeds' defilement.
A stern and all-victorious king, foe-queller, dear to every man— That energy of Gods and mighty power, I bind this on thee for long life and welfare.
Achieve heroic deeds with Darbha, wearing this Darbha never let thy soul be troubled.
In splendour and precedence over others illumine like the Sun the heaven's four regions.
Cite this poem
MLA
Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 19.33: A protective and benedictive charm.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/501/.
Chicago
Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 19.33: A protective and benedictive charm.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/501/.
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