Atharva Veda · 17 of 724

HYMN XVII

A charm to be used at venesection 1. Those maidens there, the veins, who run their course in robes of    ruddy hue,   Must now stand quiet, reft of power, like sisters who are brother-    less. 2. Stay still, thou upper vein, stay still, thou lower, stay, thou    midmost one,   The smallest one of all stands still: let the great vessel e’en be    still. 3. Among a thousand vessels charged with blood, among a thousand    veins,   Even these the middlemost stand still and their extremities have    rest. 4. A mighty rampart built of sand hath circled and encompassed    you:   Be still, and quietly take rest.