Atharva Veda · 114 of 724

HYMN XVII

A charm to secure freedom from various evils 1. We 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, 2. Still conquering, banishing the curse, mighty, with thy reverted.    bloom.   Thee and all Plants have I invoked: Hence let it save us! was    my prayer. 3. She 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. 4. What magic they have wrought for thee in dish unbaked or    burnt dark-red,   What they have wrought in flesh undressed,—conquer the    sorcerers therewith. 5. Ill dream and wretchedness of life, Rākshasa, monster, stingy    hags,   All the she-fiends of evil name and voice, we drive away from    us. 6. Death caused by famine, caused by thirst, failure of children,.    loss of kine,   With thee, O Apāmārga, all this ill we cleanse and wipe away. 7. Death 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. 8. The Apāmārga is alone the sovran of all Plants that grow.   With this we wipe away whate'er hath fallen on thee: go in    health!