Love
Atharva Veda 3.25: A man's love-charm
Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1895–96) · From The Hymns of the Atharva-Veda (1895–96)
Let the Impeller goad thee on. Rest not in peace upon thy bed.
Terrible is the shaft of Love: therewith I pierce thee to the heart.
That arrow winged with longing thought, its stem Desire, its neck, Resolve, Let Kāma, having truly aimed, shoot forth and pierce thee in the heart.
The shaft of Kāma, pointed well, that withers and consumes the spleen.
With hasty feathers, all aglow, therewith I pierce thee to the heart.
Pierced through with fiercely-burning heat, steal to me with thy parching lips, Gentle and humble, all mine own, devoted, with sweet words of love.
Away Lfrom mother and from sire I drive thee hither with a whip, That thou mayst be at my command and yield to every wish of mine.
Mitra and Varuna, expel all thought and purpose from her heart.
Deprive her of her own free will and make her subject unto me.
Cite this poem
MLA
Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 3.25: A man's love-charm.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/88/.
Chicago
Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 3.25: A man's love-charm.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/88/.
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