Atharva Veda · 261 of 724

HYMN XCIII

A prayer for protection from poison 1. Yama, Death direly fatal, the Destroyer, with his black crest,   Sarva the tawny archer,   And all the Gods uprisen with their army, may these on every    side avoid our heroes. 2. With mind, burnt offerings, butter, and libation, to royal Bhava    and the archer Sarva,   To these the worshipful I pay my worship: may they turn else-    where things with deadly venom. 3. Save us, All-Gods and all-possessing Maruts, from murderous    stroke and things that slay with poison.   Pure is the might of Varuna, Agni, Soma. May Vāta’s and   Parjanya’s favour bless us.