Atharva Veda · 542 of 724

HYMN XXXIII

A protective and benedictive charm 1. Hundred stemmed, succulent, and worth a thousand, the Royal   Rite of plants, the Water’s Agni,   Let this same Darbha guard us from all quarters. This Godlike   Amulet shall with life endow us. 2. Drawn forth from butter, juicy, sweetly-flavoured, firm as the    earth, unshaken, overthrowing.   Driving off foes and casting them beneath me, mount with the    strength of mighty Ones, O Darbha. 3. Thou movest o’er the earth with vigour: lovely in sacrifice thou    sittest on the altar.   The Rishis bear thee as a purifier: cleanse thou us from all evil    deeds’ defilement. 4. A stern and all-victorious king, foe-queller, dear to every man—   That energy of Gods and mighty power, I bind this on thee for    long life and welfare. 5. Achieve heroic deeds with Darbha, wearing this Darbha never    let thy soul be troubled.   In splendour and precedence over others illumine like the Sun    the heaven’s four regions.