Atharva Veda

The Hymns of the Atharvaveda

Translation by Ralph T.H. Griffith

BOOK I

HYMN XVIII

A charm to avert evil spirits of misfortune and to secure prosperity

1          We drive away the Spotted Hag, Misfortune, and Malignity:
            All blessings to our children then! We chase Malignity away.

2          Let Savitar, Mitra, Varuna, and Aryaman drive away Stinginess
            from both the hands and feet:
            May Favour, granting us her bounties, drive her off. The Gods
            created Favour for our happiness.

3          Each fearful sign upon thy body, in thyself, each inauspicious
            mark seen in thy hair, thy face,
            All this we drive away and banish with our speech. May Savitar
            the God graciously further thee.

4          Antelope-foot, and Bullock-tooth, Cow-terrifier, Vapour-form,
            The Licker, and the Spotted Hag, all these we drive away from us.

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