 Atharva Veda is the fourth Veda which is divided into 20 books containing hymns (charms, magic spells and incantations). The contents of some of the books of Atharva Veda are mentioned below.
Hymns in Book I of Atharva Veda Book 1 has charm against constipation and suppression of urine, charm to be used at venesection (Phlebotomy), a prayer and charm against demons, a prayer to Indra for protection, etc. Hymns in Book 2 of Atharva Veda Book 2 has a water-cure charm, a man's love-charm, a prayer accompanying an animal sacrifice, a prayer to Agni for protection, a prayer for general protection, etc. Hymns in Book 3 of Atharva Veda Book 3 involves a benediction on a newly built house, a benediction on a newly cut water channel, a song of harvest, a rishi's morning prayer, a new year prayer, etc. Hymns in Book 4 of Atharva Veda Book 4 involves hymns to the unknown God, a lover's sleep-charm, glorification and benediction of cows, a charm to mend a broken bone, a charm for success in gambling, a charm to make a poisoned arrow harmless, etc. Hymns in Book 5 of Atharva Veda Book 5 involves a charm against snakes, a charm for general prosperity, a priest's prayer for protection and assistance, glorification of Indra, a dialogue between Atharvan and Varuna, etc. Hymns in Book 6 of Atharva Veda Book 6 has hymn in praise of Savitar, hymn in praise of Indra, a medical charm, a charm to ensure conception, a charm to banish jealousy, a prayer for purification, a blessing on cattle etc. Hymns in Book 7 of Atharva Veda Book 7 has a prayer to protect corn from lightning and drought, a prayer for prosperity, a prayer for rain, a prayer to Ida, Goddess of devotion, a funeral stanza, a charm to banish fiends and troubles, an invitation to Indra and Varuna, etc. Hymns in Book 8 of Atharva Veda Book 8 contains a charm to recover a dying man, a charm to restore a sick man to health, a prayer for the destruction of demons, etc. Hymns in Book 9 of Atharva Veda Book 9 has glorification of a sacrificial goat, hymn on the consecration of a newly built house, a charm to cure several diseases related to consumption, etc. Hymns in Book 10 of Atharva Veda Book 10 has a charm against witchcraft, a charm to destroy venomous serpents, glorification of the sacred cow (the representative of the radiant heavens), glorification of an all-powerful amulet, etc. Similarly, from book 11 to book 20 there are spells, prayers, charms, etc. |
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