Hinduism  Index 
Book 2 Index
  Previous  Next 

Hymns of the Atharva Veda, by Ralph T.H. Griffith, [1895], at


HYMN XII

A prayer for vengeance on a malicious rival worshipper

1The spacious Firmament, and Earth and Heaven, the Field's
 Queen, and the wonderful Wide-Strider,
 Yea, the broad middle air which Vāta guardeth, may these now
  burn with heat while I am burning.
2Listen to this, ye Gods who merit worship. Hymns here are sung
  for me by Bharadvāja.
 Bound in the noose may he be doomed to trouble whoever mars
  this that our mind hath purposed.
3Hear this my call, O Indra, Soma-drinker, as with a burning
  heart I oft invoke thee.
 I smite, as 'twere a tree felled with a hatchet, the man who
  marreth this my plan and purpose.
4Together with thrice-eighty Sāma-singers, Angirases, and Vasus,
  and Ādityas,
 May the felicity of the Fathers guard us. I seize that man with
  fire that Gods have kindled. p. a45
5O Heaven and Earth, regard me with your favour, and, all ye
 Gods, stand on my side and help me.
 Angirases, Fathers worthy of the Soma! woe fall on him who,
  caused the hateful outrage!
6Whoever either scorns us, O ye Maruts, or blames devotion
  which we now are paying.
 Let his own wicked deeds be fires to burn him. May Heaven
  consume the man who hates devotion.
7Thy sevenfold vital breath, thine eight marrows I rend away
  with prayer.
 With Agni as thine envoy, go, prepared, to Yama's dwelling
  place.
8In Jātavedas kindled flame I set the place assigned to thee.
 Let fire consume thy body, and thy voice go to the general
  breath.


Next: Hymn 13: A youth's Investiture ceremony (godānam)