The Agni Purana

by N. Gangadharan | 1954 | 360,691 words | ISBN-10: 8120803590 | ISBN-13: 9788120803596

This page describes The use of the hymns of Atharvaveda (atharvavidhana) which is chapter 262 of the English translation of the Agni Purana, one of the eighteen major puranas dealing with all topics concerning ancient Indian culture, tradition and sciences. Containing roughly 15,000 Sanskrit metrical verses, subjects contained in the Agni-Purana include cosmology, philosophy, architecture, iconography, economics, diplomacy, pilgrimage guides, ancient geography, gemology, ayurveda, etc.

Chapter 262 - The use of the hymns of Atharvaveda (atharvavidhāna)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Puṣkara said:

1. The application of the hymns of Sāma (veda) has been described. I shall describe to you (the application) of (the hymns of) Atharva (veda) [i.e., atharvavidhāna]. One gets peace by offering oblations with the hymns of the peace class.

2. One will get rid of all the diseases by offering oblations to (the gods of) the remedial class. One will get free from all sins by offering oblations to (the gods of) the trisaptīya class.

3. One will never get fear by offering oblations to (the gods of) the protection class. O Rāma! one will never be born by offering oblations to (the gods of) the aparājita (unconquered) class.

4. One will ward off untimely death by offering oblations to (the gods of) the life-giving class. One will get welfare everywhere by offering oblations to (the gods of) the welfare class.

5. One will get united with good fortune (by propitiating the gods of) happiness and armour group. One will remove the defects of a building by offering oblations to the class of deities presiding over the foundations of a house.

6. In the same way one will remove all the defects by offering oblations to (the gods of) the Raudra class. Oblations (are to be offered to) these ten classes in eighteen propitiatory (rites).

7-9. (The goddesses) Vaiṣṇavī, Śānti, Aindrī, Brāhmī, Raudrī, Vāyavyā, Vāruṇī, Kauberī, Bhārgavī, Prājāpatyā, Tvāṣṭrī, Kaumārī, Vahnidevatā, Mārudgaṇā, Gāndhārī, Śānti Nairṛtakī, Śānti Āṅgirasī, Yāmyā and Pārthivī (are the eighteen propitiatory items) that yield all pleasures. The recitation (of the hymn) yastvā mṛtyuḥ[1] conquers death.

10. One will never be afflicted by serpents by offering oblations with (the hymn) suparṇastvā[2]! (The hymn) indreṇa dattaṃ[3] confers all the pleasures.

11. (The hymn) indreṇa dattam[4] is capable of destroying all obstacles. The hymn imā devī[5] is an excellent all-appeasing (hymn).

12. (The hymn) devā maruta[6] confers all the pleasures. (The hymn) yamasya lokāt[7] is excellent for removing (the effects of) bad dreams.

13. (The hymn) indraśca pañcavaṇijā[8] is excellent for profit in trade. Oblations offered with (the hymn) kāmo me vāji[9] increase the fortune of women.

14. Oblation offered a lakh times with (the repetition of the hymn) tubhyameva jariman[10] and with (the hymn) agne gobhir na[11] will promote the intellect.

15. Offering oblation with (the hymn) dhruvaṃ dhruveṇa[12] will ensure the acquisition of land. The repetition of (the hymn) alaktakajīva[13] will ensure prosperous agriculture.

16. (The hymn) ahaṃ te bhagna[14] increases fortune. (The hymn) ye mepāśāḥ[15] secures release from bondage.

17. Oblation offered with the repetition of (the hymn) śapatvahan[16] destroys enemies. (The hymn) tvamuttamam[17] is capable of increasing fame and intellect.

18. (The hymn) yathā mṛgamatī[18] increases the good fortune of women. (The hymn) yena cehadiśaṃ[19] is advantageous for conception.

19. (The hymn) ayaṃ te yoniḥ[20] is favourable for progeny. (The hymn) śivaḥ śivābhiḥ[21] increases good fortune.

20. (The repetition of the hymn) bṛhaspatirnaḥ paripātu[22] secures safety on the journey. (The hymn) muñcāmi tvā[23] is said to ward off untimely death.

21. One who masters the atharvaśiras[24] becomes free from all sins. I have described to you some procedures relating to some important hymns.

22-24a. The first material for oblations is the twigs of trees suitable for such rites. O Bhārgava! Clarified butter, rice, white mustard, unbroken rice, sesamum, curd, milk, darbha (grass), dūrvā (grass), bilva (leaves) and lotuses are always said to be the materials that promote peace and prosperity.

24b-25. O Knower of righteousness! Mustard oil, blood, poison, twigs of thorny (trees) should be used in magic incantations. One who knows the employment should repeat the sage, deity and metre (relating to the hymns).

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

AV. 3.11.8c.

[2]:

AV. 4.6.4a

[3]:

Tait. Sam. 2.3.10.2b.

[4]:

See note 3 above.

[5]:

Could not be traced.

[6]:

Could not be traced.

[7]:

AV. 19.56.1a.

[8]:

Could not be traced.

[9]:

Could not be traced.

[10]:

AV. 2.28.1a.

[11]:

Tait. Sam. 2.4.5.la.

[12]:

AV. 6.87.3b; 7.94.la.

[13]:

Could not be traced.

[14]:

Could not be traced.

[15]:

Could not be traced.

[16]:

Could not be traced.

[17]:

Could not be traced.

[18]:

Could not be traced.

[19]:

Could not be traced.

[20]:

AV. 3.20.1a.

[21]:

ṚV. 1.187.3b.

[22]:

AV. 7.51.1a.

[23]:

AV. 3.11.1a.

[24]:

The Atharvaṇa hymns.

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: