Atharva Veda · 449 of 724

HYMN III

Purusha, Primeval Man or humanity personified 1. Here is my charm the Varana, slayer of rivals, strong in act.   With this grasp thou thine enemies, crush those who fain would    injure thee. 2. Break them in pieces; grasp them and destroy them. This Amu-    let shall go before and lead thee.   With Varana the Gods, from morn to morning, have warded off    the Asuras' enchantment. 3. This charm, this Varana healeth all diseases, bright with a thou-    sand eyes and golden glister.   This charm shall conquer and cast down thy foemen. Be thou    the first to slay the men who hate thee. 4. This will stay witchcraft wrought for thee, will guard thee from    the fear of man:   From all distress and misery this Varana will shield thee well. 5. Guard against ill of varied kind is Varana this heavenly Plant.   The Gods have stayed and driven off Consumption which had    seized this man. 6. If in thy sleep thou see an evil vision, oft as the beast repeats his    loathed approaches,   This Amulet, this Varana will guard thee from sneeze, and from    the bird's ill-omened message. 7. From Mischief, from Malignity, from incantation, from alarm,   From death, from stronger foeman's stroke the Varana will    guard thee well. 8. Each sinful act that we have done,—my mother, father, and my    friends,— p. 10   From all the guilt this heavenly Plant will be our guard and    sure defence. 9. Affrighted by the Varana let my rivals near akin to me   Pass to the region void of light: to deepest darkness let them    go. 10. Safe are my cattle, safe am I, long-lived with all my men    around.   This Varana, mine Amulet, shall guard me well on every side. 11. This Varana is on my breast, the sovran, the celestial Plant.   Let it afflict my foemen as Indra quelled fiends and Asuras. 12. Through hundred autumn seasons, long to live, I wear this    Varana.   May it bestow on me great strength, cattle, and royalty and    power. 13. As with its might the wind breaks down the trees, the sovrans    of the wood,   So break and rend my rivals, born before me and born after.   Let the Varana protect thee well. 14. As Agni and the wind devour the trees, the sovrans of the wood,   Even so devour my rivals, born before me and born after. Let    the Varana protect thee well. 15. As, shattered by the tempest, trees lie withering ruined on the    ground.   Thus over throw my rivals thou, so crush them down and ruin.    them, those born before and after. Let this Varana protect    thee well. 16. Cut them in pieces, Varana! before their destined term of life,   Those who would hurt his cattle, those who fain would harm.    the realm he rules. 17. As Sūrya shines with brightest sheen, as splendour hath been    stored in him,   So may the Charm, the Varana, give me prosperity and fame.   With lustre let it sprinkle me, and balm me with magni-    ficence. 18. As glory dwelleth in the Moon and in the Sun who vieweth    men,   So may the Charm, etc. 19. As glory dwelleth in the Earth, and in this Jātavedas here,   So may the Charm etc. 20. As glory dwelleth in a maid, and in this well-constructed car,   So may the Charm, etc. 21. As glory dwelleth in the draught of Soma and the honeyed.    drink,   So may the Charm, etc. 22. As glory dwells in sacrifice to Agni, and the hallowing word,   So may the Charm, etc. 23. As glory is bestowed upon the patron and this sacrifice,   So may the Charm, etc. 24. As glory dwelleth in the Lord of Life and in this God Supreme,.   So may the Charm, etc. 25. As immortality and truth have been established in the Gods,   So may the Charm, the Varana, give me prosperity and fame.   With lustre let it sprinkle me, and balm me with magnificence.