ATHARBA VEDA 01.35

Kanda 1/Sukta 35 (Health, Efficiency and Long Age)

Hiranyam, Indragni, Vishvedevah Devatah, Atharva Ayushkama Rshi

1.     Yadåbadhnandåksåyanå hiranyam satånikåya sumanasyamånåh.

Tatte badhnåmyåyuse varcase balåya dirghåyu-tvåya satasåradåya.

That golden glowing discipline of life which the sages of holy life and enlightened mind hold, observe and prescribe for a life of hundredfold efficiency, I confer on you with commitment for a full age of hundred years of good health, strength of body and mind, honour and lustre.

2.     Nainam raksåmsi na pisåcåh sahante devånå- mojah prathamajam hyeítat.

Yo bibharti dåkså- yanam hiranyam sa jivesu krnute dirghamåyuh.

That golden glow of discipline, demons and ogres cannot violate, nor can they challenge it. It is the splendour of divines, first born of Mother Nature. One who commands this golden discipline of life and living with efficiency and success lives a long life among humanity.

3.     Apåm tejo jyotirojo balam ca vanaspatinåmuta viryå ni. Indra-ivendriyånyadhi dhårayåmo asmintaddaksamåno bibharaddhiranyam.

Just as Indra, the soul, bears and commands the

senses and mind with self-control, so do we help this young man to bear and preserve the glow of nature’s fluid energies, light of life and vigour and vitality of all the herbal essences since he conscientiously holds on to the golden discipline of continence in daily living.

4.     Samånåm måsåmrtubhistvå vayam samva- tsarasya payaså piparmi. Indrågni visve devåsteí nu manyantåmahrniyamånåh.

We strengthen you toward completion of your personality with the vigour and vitality of life and nature over months and years season by season. May Indra, Agni and all the divinities of nature and humanity be favourable to you without reserve or hesitation.

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ATHARBA VEDA 01.34

Kanda 1/Sukta 34 (Life’s Honey)

Madhu Vanaspatih Devata, Atharva Rshi

1.     Iyam virunmadhujåtå madhunå två khanåmasi.

Madhoradhi prajåtåsi så no madhumataskrdhi.

This herb is born of the honey sweets of earth. O sweet herb, we take you up with the honey sweet of love and gratitude. You are grown and matured by the honeyed efficacy of life and nature’s evolution. Such as you are, pray sweeten our life with the honey sweet of joy and graces of culture.

(Honey, Madhu, has been interpreted as metaphor of the sweetness of existence in life, knowledge, divine awareness, indeed the soul itself. All

verses of this hymn can be interpreted in this perspective. Reference may also be made to Brihadaranyakopanishad 2, 5, in which it is said that this earth and all her creatures, the waters, heat and light, wind and all other kinds of energy, the sun, the quarters of space, the moon, thunder and lightning, clouds and the sky, all space, Dharma, truth, humanity the soul and the cosmic soul, all is the honeyed expression and manifestation of divinity. And this knowledge, madhu vidya, was given by the sage Dadhyang of the Atharva tradition.)

2.     Jihvåyå agre madhu me jihvåmule madhulakam.

Mamedaha kratåvaso mama cittamupåyasi.

Let there be honey sweetness at the tip of my tongue. Let there be honey sweetness at the root of my tongue. O honey sweetness of divinity, always stay in my thought and will in action, and ever abide at the depth of my mind and soul.

3.     Madhumanme nikramanam madhumanme paråyanam.

Våcå vadåmi madhumadbhuyåsam madhu-sandrsah.

Let my coming, going forth and going out be full of honey sweetness. Let my final exit and ultimate resort be full of honey sweet Ananda. Let me speak and express the honey sweets of love and reverence with my words, and let me share the honey sweets of divinity in my vision and response to life’s experience.

4.     Madhorasmi madhutaro madughånmadhu- mattarah.

Måmitkila tvam vanåh såkhåm madhu- matimiva.

I am sweeter than honey itself, sweeter than the treasure holds of honey in plants and man. O man, O sage, O divine, O love, accept me, O life, like a lovely branch bearing the honey suckle.

5.     Pari två paritatnuneksunågåmavidvise.

Yathå måm kåminyaso yathå mannåpagå asah.

O love, O honeyed sweetness of life, with open expanding arms of honey sweets of love and faith I come to embrace you never to allow jealousy, bitterness or enmity to come in and vitiate our love so that you too ever abide with me in love and never forsake me.

ATHARBA VEDA 01.33

Kanda 1/Sukta 33 (for Peace)

Apah Devata, Shantati Rshi

1.     Hiranyavarnåh sucayah påvakå yåsu jåtah savitå yåsvagnih.

Yå agnim garbham dadhire suvarnåstå na åpah sam syonå bhavantu.

The golden hued, pure and purifying primeval waters, original plastic material of existential forms, wherein manifested Savita, divine creative will, and Agni, basic vitality of life, and which, like the womb of nature, held within the vital heat that sustains life, may, we pray, be beatific, peaceful and blissful for us.

(In relation to Apah, reference may be made to ‘Samudro’ arnavah’ of Rgveda 1, 190, 1, and ‘Salilam’

of Rgveda 1, 129, 3, Shatapatha Brahmana 7, 5, 2, 18,

and Taittiriya Brahmana 1, 1, 3, 5.)

2.     Yåsåm råjå varuno yåti madhye satyånrte avapasyanjanånåm.

Yå agnim garbham dadhire suvarnåstå na åpah sam syonå bhavantu.

In the midst of primeval waters pervades Varuna, supreme lord of judgement who watches the truth and untruth of the life of human souls emerging into their next round of existence. The waters hold within themselves the vital heat that makes life possible and sustains it. May these waters of golden hue be full of peace, grace and bliss for us.

3.     Yåsåm devå divi krnvanti bhaksam yå antarikse bahudhå bhavanti.

Yå agnim garbham dadhire suvarnåstå na åpah sam syonå bhavantu.

May the primeval waters of golden hue which evolve into many forms in space, in which the potential forms of divine existence find their food for growth, and which, like a womb, hold within them the vital heat of life, be full of peace, grace and bliss for us.

4.     sivena må caksuså pasyatåpah sivayå tanvopa sprsata tvacam me. Ghrtascutah sucayo yåh påvakåstå na åpah sam syonå bhavantu.

May these waters with immanent divinity look at me with a blissful eye. May they touch the form and complexion of my body with the softness of love. Overflowing with the ghrta of kindness and grace, pure and purifying, may they be full of peace, bliss and divine grace for us.

ATHARBA VEDA 01.32

Kanda 1/Sukta 32 (Brahma: Life-Universal)

Dyava-prithivi Devata, Brahma Rshi

1.     Idam janåso vidatha mahad brahma vadisyati.

Na tatprthivyåm no divi yena prånanti verudhah.

O seekers, know this. Only the self-realised soul would speak of life’s infinite and ultimate reality, the Spirit that is comprehended neither on the earth nor in heaven—the life spirit by which the forms and structures of life evolve and breathe in the expansive universe.

2.     Antariksa åsåm sthåma sråntasadåmiva.

Åsthånamasya bhutasya vidustadvedhaso na vå.

The main stay of these living forms is in infinite Space like the station of satiated self-realised souls. That home of this world of existence, they know who know, and may be they too don’t - which, again, only they know, we don’t. (Compare Rgveda 10, 129, 7.)

3.     Yadrodasi rejamåne bhumisca nirataksatam.

Årdram tadadya sarvadå samudrasyeva srotyåh.

The living fluid vitality which the dynamic heaven and earth and the firmament created and create is the same today which has ever been flowing from the universal Spirit like the streams of water and waves of the sea.

4.     Visvamanyåmabhivåra tadanyasyåmadhi sritam.

Dive ca visvavdase prthivyai cåkaram namah.

I know the universal presiding presence all pervasive in the other, its power and vitality, immanent in Prakrti and transcending it. I offer homage and obeisance to heaven, to earth and to lord omniscient and presiding power of the universe.

ATHARBA VEDA 01.31

Kanda 1/Sukta 31 (Hope and Fulfilment)

Ashapalah Vastoshpatayah Devata, Brahma Rshi

1.     Åsånåmåsåpålebhyascaturbhyo amrtebhyah.

Idam bhutasyådhyaksebhyo vidhema haviså vayam.

Now with havi we do this homage to the four immortal guardians of the four quarters of space who oversee, control and protect all forms of existence.

(The ruler guardians of the quarters of space according to Atharva Veda 3, 27, 1-6 are Agni, Indra, Varuna and Soma of the east, south, west and north, while Vishnu and Brhaspati are guardian rulers of the nether and upper directions. In the case of the human personality as well this same order of divine care is applicable, and these six versions of the power of Brahma Supreme protect us against hate, enmity and jealousy while they augment our physical, mental and spiritual potential as well.)

2.     Ya åsånåmåsåpålåscatvåra sthana devåh.

Te no nirrtyåh påsebhyo muncatåmhaso-amhasah.

O Devas, who are ruling guardians of the four quarters of space, you release us from the snares of adversity and save us from every form of sin and evil.

3.     Asråmastvå haviså yajåmyaslonastvå ghrtena juhomi.

Ya åsånåmåsåpålasturiyo devah sa nah subhutameha vaksat.

O lord transcendent of the fourth estate of the freedom of Moksha, I never tire of serving you with havi. I never give up the divine service with ghrta like a lame man giving up the journey. May the lord transcendent of spiritual freedom, protector and promoter of the regions of space, grant us the honour, excellence and glory of life.

4.     Svasti måtra uta pitre no astu svasti gobhyo jagate purusebhyah.

Visvam subhutam suvidatram no astu jyogeva drsema suryam.

May there be Svasti, felicity of well being, for our mother and father, felicity for our cows, our world and our people. May there be total felicity and prosperity and abundant generosity of the world for us, and let us continue, go on seeing the sun for a long long time.

ATHARBA VEDA 01.30

Kanda 1/Sukta 30 (Health and Full Age)

Vishvedevah Devata, Atharva Ayushkama Rshi

1.     Visve devå vasavo raksatemamutådityå jågrta yuyamasmin.

Memam sanåbhiruta vånyanå- bhirmemam pråpatpauruseyo vadho yah.

O Vishvedevas, divinities of nature, leading powers of humanity, O Vasus, sustainers of life, protect and promote this man, this leader, this ruler. O Adityas, brilliancies of nature and leading lights of humanity, keep awake and alert in this living system both individual and social. Let no danger or fatal weapon, human or natural, shot by our own people from within or by an alien power, reach and touch him. (The system at the individual level is the human being, and at the social level it is the socio-political organisation, and the person to be protected and promoted is the ruler.)

2.     Ye vo devåh pitaro ye ca putråh sacetaso me srnutedamuktam.

Sarvebhyo vah pari dadå- myetam svastye nam jarase vahåtha.

O Devas, divine powers of nature and humanity, noble citizens of the nation, parental seniors and their children of the younger generation, all who are supporters and protectors of the land, be alert and wide awake, and listen carefully to this word of mine: I declare and dedicate this man, this leader, this ruler to you all and commit you all for your common good to support and serve him to the last day of life.

3.     Ye devå divi stha ye prthivyåm ye antariksa osadhisu pasusvapsvantah.

Te krnuta jara- samåyurasmai satamanyånpari vrnaktu mrtyun.

All those, divinities which are in heaven, those on earth and those which are in the middle region, in the herbs, in all living beings, in animals and birds and in the waters, may they all bring him a full and healthy life, and may he dispel and destroy a hundred other deadly wants, problems and deprivations of life for you all.

4.     Yesåm prayåjå uta vånuyåjå hutabhågå ahutådasca devåh.

Yesåm vah panca pradiso vibhaktåstånvo asmai satrasadah krnomi.

Those among you, O noble divines, who are pioneers of research and innovation in the yajnic development of the nation, those who are yajnic followers of the pioneers, who partake of their share in the national economy of yajnic inputs and consequential fragrance and those who don’t, those among you who are organised in five ways of national economy, all such I raise and dedicate to membership of the nation’s parliament and other institutions for him.

ATHARBA VEDA 01.29

Kanda 1/Sukta 29 (Rise of the Rashtra)

Brahmanaspati Devata, Vasishtha Rshi

1.     Abhivartena maninå yenendro abhivåvrdhe.

Tenåsmånbrahmanaspateíbhi råstråya vardhaya.

O Brahmanaspati, lord of divine vision, master of knowledge and state craft for development, for the rise and progress of the nation and the republic, pray strengthen and raise us with that crystal character, jewel wealth and adamantine strength and will by virtue of which Indra, lord ruler of the world and the spirit of the human nation, rises to glory.

2.     Abhivrtya sapatnånabhi yå no aråtayah.

Abhi prtanyantam tisthåbhi yo no durasyati.

O Brahmanaspati, ruler and commander of the human nation, having surrounded and cornered the adversaries, selfish exploiters, whoever want to wage war against us, or who hate, envy and want to damage us, break down their force and power, subdue them and rule over them as part of the nation.

3.     Abhi två devah savitåbhi somo avivrdhat.

Abhi två visvå bhutånyabhivarto yathåsasi.

May the self-refulgent Savita, brilliant sun and the blazing commander of the defence and development forces, Soma, nation’s spirit of peace and joy and the economic spirit of security, and all the people and living resources of nature and the mother land, advance and exalt you so that you may rule in a protective and promotive style for all.

4.     Abhivarto abhibhavah sapatnaksayano manih.

Råstråya mahyam badhyatåm sapatnebhyah paråbhuve.

This spirit of the exalted nation and this crystal character of the people is the jewel wealth of the republic, superior to all individual constituents, subduer of jealousies and saboteurs and destroyer of the negative forces of adversaries. O Brahmanaspati, visionary high priest of the nation’s law, let it be vested in me as the ruling sceptre for the common wealth’s progress and for subduing of the adversaries.

5.     Udasau suryo agådudidam måmakam vacah.

Yathåham satruhoísånyasapatnah sapatnahå.

As the sun there rises in heaven, so does my word of commitment arise here in the republic, so that with my word and the people’s commitment and character I may eliminate enmity, subdue adversarial rivalries and rule with freedom from fear, insecurity and the onslaughts of enemies.

6.     Sapatnaksayano vrsåbhiråstro visåsahih.

Yathåhamesåm virånåm viråjåni janasya ca.

Eliminator of rivals and adversaries, strong and magnanimous, I dedicate myself to the nation with peace, patience and courage so that I may rightfully and righteously rule over these brave and brilliant leaders and these people to their hopes and aspirations.