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


p. a125

HYMN XVII

A charm to secure freedom from various evils

1We seize and hold thee, Conquering One! the queen of medi-
  cines that heal.
 O Plant, I have endowed thee with a hundred powers for every
  man,
2Still conquering, banishing the curse, mighty, with thy reverted.
  bloom.
 Thee and all Plants have I invoked: Hence let it save us! was
  my prayer.
3She who hath cursed us with a curse, or hath conceived a
  murderous sin,
 Or seized our son to take his blood, may she devour the child
  she bare.
4What magic they have wrought for thee in dish unbaked or
  burnt dark-red,
 What they have wrought in flesh undressed,—conquer the
  sorcerers therewith.
5Ill dream and wretchedness of life, Rākshasa, monster, stingy
  hags,
 All the she-fiends of evil name and voice, we drive away from
  us.
6Death caused by famine, caused by thirst, failure of children,.
  loss of kine,
 With thee, O Apāmārga, all this ill we cleanse and wipe away.
7Death caused by thirst, death caused by stress of hunger, loss at
  play with dice,
 All this, O Apāmārga with thine aid we cleanse and wipe away.
8The Apāmārga is alone the sovran of all Plants that grow.
 With this we wipe away whate'er hath fallen on thee: go in
  health!


Next: Hymn 18: A counter-charm against the incantations of enemies