Atharva Veda · 116 of 724

HYMN XIX

A counter-charm and charm to secure general protection. 1. Thou breakest ties of kith and kin, thou causest, too, relation-    ship:   So bruise the sorcerer’s offspring, like a reed that groweth in the   Rains. 2. Thou hast been blessed with blessing by the Brāhman, Kanva   Nārshada.   Thou fliest like a flashing dart: there is no fear or danger, Plant!    within the limit of thy range. 3. Illumining, as ’twere, with light, thou movest at the head of    plants.   The saviour of the simple man art thou, and slayer of the fiends. 4. As once when time began the Gods with thee expelled the   Asuras,   Even thence, O Plant, wast thou produced as one who wipes and    sweeps away. 5. Thy father’s name was Cleaver. Thou with thousand branches    cleavest all.   Do thou, turned backward, cleave and rend the man who treateth    us as foes. 6. The evil sprang from earth; it mounts to heaven and spreads to    vast extent.   Reverted, shaking him with might, thence on its maker let it    fall. 7. For thou hast grown reverted, and turned backward also is thy    fruit.   Remove all curses far from me, keep most remote the stroke of    death. 8. Preserve me with a hundred, yea, protect me with a thousand    aids.   May mighty Indra, Lord of Plants! give store of strength and.    power to thee.