atharva

atharva m. (-rvaḥ) A proper name of the eldest son of Brahmā,

to whom Brahmā revealed the Brahmavidyā (q. v.) or know-

ledge of God. See atharvan. E. See atharvan of which it is

an abbreviated form.

Atharva, as, m., N. of Brahmā's eldest son, to

whom he revealed the Brahma-vidyā. See atharvan.

1. atharva (in comp. for atharvan).

2. atharva m. N. of Brahmā's eldest son (to whom he revealed the Brahma-vidyā), MuṇḍUp.

atharva m. N. pr. der älteste Sohn Brahman's MUṆḌ. UP. 1, 1, 1; vgl. atharvan .

atharva

— 1) Adj. st. atharya in derselben Formel.

— 2) m. N.pr. = atharvan.

Atharva = Śiva: XIII, 901; do. (C.) or Ā° (B.), pl. =

Artharvaveda: XIII, 4706.

Atharva Veda — one of the four Vedas useful for kings.¹

Rearranged by Sumantu (s.v.) under the guidance of

Vyāsa; in five parts.² Part of Viṣṇu.³ Mantras connected

with war.⁴ Twenty-one Atharvas from the face of Brahmā.⁵ [Footnote] 1) Bhā., X. 53. 12; Vā. 9. 51; 60. 15, 20. [Footnote] 2) Bhā. I. 4. 22;

XII. 7. 1; Br. II. 34. 15; Vi. III. 4. 9 & 14; 6. 8, 13-14. [Footnote] 3) Vi. V.

1. 37. [Footnote] 4) Br. IV. 20. 104. [Footnote] 5) Br. II. 8. 53.

ATHARVA (M). Among the Vedas, this has the fourth

place. It comprises different kinds of incantations of

occult powers for the destruction of enemies. Atharvan

the son of Vasiṣṭha was the author of this Veda. In

Chapter 6 of the third section of Viṣṇu Purāṇa the

following reference is made to Atharvaveda: “Sumantu

Maharṣi who was of infinite glory, first taught this

Atharvaveda to his disciple Kabandha. (Sumantu

Maharṣi was the son of Jaimini, who was the disciple

of Vedavyāsa). Kabandha divided Atharvaveda into

two parts and communicated them to two Maharṣis

named Devadarśa and Pathya. Devadarśa's disciples

were: Medhā, Brahmabali, Śautkāyani and Pippalāda.

Pathya had three disciples named Jābāli, Kumudādi

and Śaunaka. They also made Atharvaveda compila-

tions. Śaunaka divided his compilation into two and

gave one part to Babhru and the other to Saindhava.

Muñjikeśa learnt it from Saindhava and divided the

compilation first into two and later into three parts.

The five divisions of the Atharvaveda—Nakṣatrakalpa,

Vedakalpa, Saṃhitākalpa, Āṅgirasakalpa and Śānti-

kalpa, were made by Muñjikeśa. Nakṣatrakalpa con-

tains Brahma's works: Saṃhitākalpa contains Mantra

Vidhi; Āngirasakalpa contains ābhicāra and Śāntikalpa

contains taming of horses, elephants etc.

The mantras (incantations) in Atharvaveda and their

uses are given below:—

Mantras Uses

1. Suparṇastava Getting rid of serpents and snake-

poison (Sarpa-bādhā-nivāraṇam).

2. Indreṇadatta Fulfilment of all desires (Sarva-

kāma-siddhi).

3. Imā Devī Attainment of peace (Sarva-

śānti-karma).

5. Yamasyālokāt Prevention of bad dreams (Duḥ

svapna-śamana).

6. Indraścandraśca Prosperity in commerce and

pañcavaṇija business (Vāṇijya-lābha).

7. Kāmojevāji Enjoyment of women (Strī-

saubhāgyam).

8. Tubhyamevaja- Equal to thousand sacrifices

vīma (Ayuta-homa-tulyam).

9. Agnegobhinna Strengthening of the intellect

(Buddhi-vṛddhi).

10. Dhṛuvaṃdhṛu- Attainment of posts of honour

veṇa (Sthāna-lābha)

11. Alaktajīva- Profit from agriculture (Kṛṣi-

lābha).

12. Ahan te bhagna Prosperity in general.

13. Ye me pāśā Freedom from imprisonment

(bandhana-vimukti).

14. Śapatvaha Destruction of enemies (Śatru-

nāśam).

15. Tvamuttama Enhancement of fame (yaśo-

vṛddhi).

16. Yathāmṛgavati Enjoyment of women (Strī sau-

bhāgyam).

17. Yenapehadiśa Birth of children (Grabha-lābha).

18. Ayante yoniḥ Getting sons (Putra-lābha).

Mantras Uses

19. Śivaśivābhiḥ Prosperity in general (Saubhāgya-

vṛddhi).

20. Bṛhaspatirnaḥ Blessings (Mārga-maṅgala).

pari pātu

21. Muñcāvitva Warding off death (Mṛtyu-

nivāraṇa).

When these mantras are chanted several oblations are

made to the sacrificial fire. Substances like Camatā, ghee,

rice, milk are thrown into the fire as offerings. (Agni

Purāṇa, Chapter 262).