Mythology & Folklore

Atharva Veda 19.46: A charm accompanying investiture with an amulet that ensures safety and victory

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

For manly strength Prajāpati bound thee on first, invincible.
This for long life on thee I bind for splendour, strength, and energy. Invincible, let it guard thee well.

Erect, invincible, be this man's watchful keeper: let not the Panis or the sorcerers harm thee.
Shake off thy foes as Indra scattered Dasyus: quell all enemies.
Invincible, let it guard thee well.

Indra hath lent the power of sight, and vital breath and strength to this.
Whom even a hundred combatants, striking, have failed to over-come. Invincible, let it guard thee well.

Around thy limbs I place the mail of Indra who hath become the Gods' imperial Sovran.
Again let all the Deities bring thee hither. Invincible let it guard thee well.

One and a hundred manly powers, a thousand lives hath this Amulet, unconquered ever.
Go forth a tiger, strike down all thy foemen: let him who would oppose fall low beneath thee. Invincible, let it guard thee well.

Drawn forth from butter, rich in milk and sweetness, hundred-lived, thousand-homed, bestowing vigour, Kindly, delightsome, full of sap, and mighty, invincible let it guard thee well.

That thou mayst be pre-eminent, slayer of rivals, rivalless, May Savitar cause thee to be chief and controller of thy kin.
Invincible, let it guard thee well.

MLA

Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 19.46: A charm accompanying investiture with an amulet that ensures safety and victory.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/514/.

Chicago

Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 19.46: A charm accompanying investiture with an amulet that ensures safety and victory.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/514/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by The Rishis of the Atharva Veda