Mythology & Folklore
Atharva Veda 2.31: A charm against all sorts of worms
Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1895–96) · From The Hymns of the Atharva-Veda (1895–96)
With Indra's mighty millstone, that which crushes worms of every sort, I bray and bruise the worms to bits like vetches on the grinding stone.
The Seen and the Invisible, and the Kurūru have I crushed: Alāndus, and all Chhalunas, we bruise to pieces with our spell.
I kill Alāndus with a mighty weapon: burnt or not burnt they now have lost their vigour .
Left or not left, I with the spell subdue them: let not a single worm remain uninjured.
The worm that lives within the ribs, within the bowels, in the head.
Avaskava and Borer, these we bruise to pieces with the spell.
Worms that are found on mountains, in the forests, that live in plants, in cattle, in the waters, Those that have made their way within our bodies,—these I destroy, the worms' whole generation.
Cite this poem
MLA
Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 2.31: A charm against all sorts of worms.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/60/.
Chicago
Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 2.31: A charm against all sorts of worms.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/60/.
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