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


HYMN XXXI

A counter-charm against the incantations of an enemy

1The spell that they have cast for thee on unbaked dish or ming-
   led meal, p. a197
  The witchcraft wrought on undressed meat, this I strike back
   again on them.
2The spell that they have cast for thee on jungle-cock, goat,
   horned ram,
  The witchcraft wrought upon thy ewe, this I strike back again
   on them.
3The spell that they have cast upon thy beast that hath uncloven
   hooves,
  The ass with teeth in both his jaws, this I strike back again on
   them.
4The secret spell upon thy plants Amūlā or Narāchi, spell
  That they have cast upon thy field, this I strike back again on
   them.
5The spell that wicked men have cast on thine original household-
   fire,
  And on thy sacrificial hall, this I strike back again on them.
6The spell that they have cast upon thy public room thy gambl-
   ing-board,
  Spell they have cast upon thy dice, this I strike back again on
   them.
7The spell that they have cast upon thine army or thy shafts and
   arms,
  Spell they have cast upon the drum, this I throw back again on
   them.
8Charm they have laid within thy well or buried in the burning-
   ground,
  Charm they have laid within thy home, this I throw back again
   on them.
9The spell that they have wrought for thee in flickering fire of
   human bones,—
  Mroka, consuming, cannibal, this I throw back again on them.
10He brought this by no proper path, by the right path we drive it
   back.
  The fool in folly brought it to those who observe established
   bounds.
11No power had he who wrought the spell: he hurt his foot, he
   broke his toe.
  Unlucky for his wealthy lords, he hath wrought happiness for us.
12May Indra slay with mighty bolt, may Agni with his missible
   pierce. p. a198
  The sorcerer who brings the curse, who deals with roots and
   secret spells.


Next: Hymn 1: In praise of Savitar