Atharva Veda · 539 of 724

HYMN XXX

A protective charm accompanying investiture with an amulet of Darbha grass 1. Darbha, with that good shield of thine, of hundred guards tilt    death in eld,   Arm thou this man, and with thy might strike thou his adver-    saries down. 2. Darbha, thou hast a hundred shields, thou hast a thousand.    manly powers.   All Gods have given thee to him to bear thee till extreme old    age. 3. They call thee, ‘Darbha, shield of Gods, they call the Brāhmanas-    pati.   They call thee shield of Indra: thou protectest kingdoms from    attack. 4. Darbha, destroyer of the foe, vexing the hearts of enemies,   An Amulet that strengthens rule I make thee, and the body's.    guard. 5. What time Parjanya roared to it with lightning flashes in the sea,   Thence came the drop, the golden drop, thence Darbha into    being sprang.