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What Is The Atharva Veda? Spells For Health, Success, And Beyond

The Vedas have been absolutely fundamental in shaping the religious, societal, political, and even economic philosophies of ancient Hinduism. Within these ancient texts lives the very basis of Hinduism.<br>The Vedas are split into 4 separate sacred texts, but are often compiled into a single book, the Chathurveda Samhitha.

atharvaveda
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What Is The Atharva Veda? Spells For Health, Success, And Beyond

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  1. WhatIsTheAtharvaVeda?SpellsFor Health, Success, AndBeyond The Vedas have been absolutely fundamental in shaping the religious, societal, political, and even economic philosophies of ancient Hinduism. Within these ancient texts lives the very basis ofHinduism. TheVedasaresplitinto4separatesacredtexts,butareoftencompiledintoasinglebook,the Chathurveda Samhitha. The Rig Veda: The Book of Mantra The Sama Veda: The Book of Song The Yajur Veda: The Book of Ritual The Atharva Veda: The Book ofSpell The Vedasare among the oldest and most mysterious texts known to man — with no human author and no timeline oforigin.

  2. Originally, they were orally passed down from generation to generation by Aryan nomads (considered ―the noble ones‖) in ancient India during the Vedic Period (1,500 – 500 B.C.E.). It wasn’t until centuries later (long after the Vedic Period) that the Vedas were written into physical form, creating what we know today as the VedicTexts. The Vedas are a ―language of the Gods‖ in comprehensible, human form. For this, there is no human author — rather, the information was channeled by the risis (the seers, the sages)from Paramātman: the ―Absolute Atman.‖ For this, the risis claim that they saw the Vedas — they did not composethem. As explained by spiritual teacher and master, Deborah King (author of Mindvalley’s program, Be a Modern Master: Unlocking the Spiritual Science of AncientIndia): Like the Bible, the authorship of these sacred texts is believed to be divinely inspired. The sages who recorded the Vedas had lived the teachings and used the sacred wisdom to awaken their own connections to the Divine, the created world, and their fellowbeings. In this article, our concern is with the black sheep of the Vedas, the AtharvaVeda. Exploring The AtharvaVeda

  3. The Atharvaveda is the youngest of the Veda quartet. For a long time, it wasn’t even considered a Veda; this is due to the fact that it seems to be embodied by a different kind ofspirit. It’s written in a more understandable form and paints a much clearer picture of Vedic history; because of this, it is the second most important Veda in regard to history andsociology. Mostly, however, the Atharvaveda is a guide on how to act auspiciously within the Hindu tradition. It is comprised of a series of magical spells, charms, and incantations — this also differentiates it from the other Vedas, which are focused much more upon sacrifice andritual. These spells promise to ―fulfill all worldly desires of the human mind‖ and assist in everything from attracting lovers to protecting against disease, to calling upon the elements forstrength. Herearetwoexamplesofthedifferenttypesofhymnscontainedwithinthe1stbookof Atharvaveda: HYMN V — To the waters, for strength andpower Ye, Waters, truly bring us bliss: so help ye us to strength and power That we may look on greatdelight. Here grant to us a share of dew, that most auspicious dew of yours, Like mothers in their longinglove. For you we fain would go to him to whose abode ye send usforth, And, Waters, give us procreant strength. I pray the Floods to send us balm, those who bear rule o’er preciousthings, And have supreme control ofmen. HYMN III — A charm against constipation and suppression ofurine We know the father of the shaft, Parjanya strong with hundredpowers: By this may I bring health unto thy body: let the channels pour their burthen freely as ofold. We know the father of the shaft, Mitra, the Lord of hundred powers: By this,etc. We know the father of the shaft, Varuna, strong with hundredpowers:

  4. By this,etc. We know the father of the shaft, the Moon endowed with hundred powers: By this,etc. We know the father of the shaft, the Sun endowed with hundredpowers: By this may I bring health unto thy body: let the channels pour their burthen freely as ofold. Whate’er hath gathered, as it flowed, in bowels, bladder, or in groins, Thus let the conduit, free from check, pour all its burthen as ofold. I lay the passage open as one cleaves the dam that bars the lake: Thus let,etc. Now hath the portal been unclosed as, of the sea that holds the flood: Thus let,etc. Even as the arrow flies away when loosened from the archer’sbow, Thus let the burthen be discharged from channels that are checked no more. Organization Of TheAtharvaveda There are 731 hymns in the Atharva Veda, subdivided into 6,000 verses, and organized into 3 majordivisions. The First Grand Division (books1-7) This division is regarded as the most important part of the entire Atharva Veda and consists mainly of short charms andcurses. The Second Grand Division (books8-12) These hymns are longer than the first division and act as a guide on how to auspiciously perform priestlyduties.

  5. The Third Grand Division (books13-18) This division is made of books that are distinguished by ―unity ofsubject.‖ At a later date, two more books were added, but they are not a part of these 3 GrandDivisions.

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