Mythology & Folklore
Atharva Veda 4.4: A charm to restore virile power
Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1895–96) · From The Hymns of the Atharva-Veda (1895–96)
We dig thee from the earth, the Plant which strengthens and exalts the nerves, The Plant which the Gandharva dug for Varuna whose power was lost.
Let Ushas and let Sūrya rise, let this the speech I utter rise.
Let the strong male Prajāpati arise with manly energy.
Sicut tui surgentis (membrum virile) tanquam inflammatum palpitat, hoc illud tui ardentius haec herba faciat.
Sursum (estote) herbarum vires, taurorum vigor. Tu, Indra, corporis potens, virorum masculum robur in hoc homine depone.
Ros aquarum primigenitus atque arborum, Somae etiam frater es, vatum sacrorum masculus vigor es.
Hodie, Agnis! hodie Savitar! hodie dea Sarasvatis! hodie Brahmanaspatis! hujus fascinum velut arcum extende.
Velut nervum in arcu ego tuum fascinum extendo. Aggredere (mulierem) semper indefessus velut cervus damam.
Quae sunt equi vires, muli, capri, arietis, atque tauri, illas, cor-poris potens! in hoc homine depone.
Cite this poem
MLA
Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 4.4: A charm to restore virile power.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/97/.
Chicago
Veda, The Rishis of the Atharva. “Atharva Veda 4.4: A charm to restore virile power.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/atharvaveda-rishis/97/.
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More by The Rishis of the Atharva Veda
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- Atharva Veda 7.118: A benediction on a warrior
- Atharva Veda 19.59: An expiatory hymn accompanying sacrifice