Mythology & Folklore

Atharva Veda 2.31: A charm against all sorts of worms

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

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.

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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