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| The
Essence of Atharvaveda |
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| The
fourth veda is the Atharvaveda. The meaning of the word Atharveda
(A+tharva) is a devoid of movement or concentration. The word
Tharva means fickleness or movement and accordingly the word "Atharva" means
that which is unwavering, concentrated or unchanging. That is why it is said
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| THARVA
GATI KARMA NA THARVA ETI ATHARVA | |
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| The
philosophy of Yoga speaks that- |
| YOGASH
CHITTA VRITTI NIRODHAHA | |
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which
means controlling the different impulses of the mind and senses in yoga. The
Gita re-iterates that when the mind is free from impulses and flaws, the mind
becomes stable and the person becomes neutral when the impulses of the mind and
the other senses are in control, then only the mind is freed from instability
and purterbances. The word "Atharva" therefore refers to neutrality of
personality. The Atharvaveda speaks more about Yoga, the human
physiology, different ailments, social structure, spirituality, appreciation of
natural beauty, national religion etc. This knowledge is practical and
is worth bringing in use.
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| The
Atharvaveda is a fusion of prose and poetry together. A number of facts related
to Ayurveda are seen here, that is why Ayurveda is considered to be the Upaveda
(Sub-Veda) of this Veda. |
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The
Brahmanas come next after Vedas. There are 3 categories of Brahmanas
texts i.e. Brahmana, Aranyaka and Upanishads. The one and only
Brahmana text of Atharvaveda is Gopinath, which is famous.
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There
are 2 parts
(1) Purvardha {first half}
(2) Uttarardha {second half}.
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| The
Purvardha comprises of a number of lectures while the Uttarardha comprises of
critical appreciation of rituals, etc. We come across no Aranyaka text of the
Atharvaveda but there are a number of Upanishads. |
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| The
prominent ones are Mundak, Mandukya, Prashna and Mrusinghapini.
The Muktikopanishad speak and mentions 93 Upanishads of Atharvaveda. |
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Chapter
1:
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(1)
VACHASPATIRNI YACHCHUTAI
-------------(1/3, Atharvaveda)
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May
the scholar become disciplined.
The people who live disciplined lives accomplish all their duties, without
obstacles and easily. By doing so one can achieve a lot of success scholars
should guide all to lead disciplined lives. |
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(2)
SAM SHRUTENA GAMEMAHIMA SHRUTENA VI RADHISHI |
-------------(1/4, Atharvaveda)
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May
all become knowledgeable and may never detest from knowledge.
One can attain all the knowledge from a Guru. That Guru who teaches and imparts
knowledge properly to his disciple is a good guru. He who acquires theoretical
and practical knowledge and utilizes it in day to day life, in the real sense
becomes knowledgeable. Knowledge helps us materially and spiritually. Therefore
we should try to acquire as much knowledge as possible and should abstain from
wrong or false knowledge. By doing so we can break away from the chains of
ignorance and misery.
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(3)
APSVANTARMRITMAPSU BHESHAJAM |
-------------(4/4 Atharvaveda)
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Water
is,the elixir of life, water has medicinal value.
Water is the primary necessity of the human body. Water is alike the elixir of
life because of which the body is purified and we become energetic. Water also
possesses medicinal value. It frees the body from different doshas (ailments)
and is known as Bheshagya. It gives us good health, happiness and
Contentment.
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(4)
SHAM MEM CHATURBHYA ANGEBHYAHA SHAMASTU TANVE MAM
-------------(12/4 Atharvaveda)
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May
my four organs be free from ailments. May my entire body be healthy and strong.
The body should be sound and healthy. A healthy body consists of a healthy
mind.
If the body is unhealthy then it cannot enjoy any happiness. Therefore one
should strive to maintain good health by taking balanced diet, exercise and by
reading good literature.
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(5)
ADARASRID BHAVATU |
-------------(20/1, Atharvaveda)
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May
there be no one to create a rift between us.
The cause of war is mental or satisfaction of ones ego. Because of the effort
to dominate over each other, it leads to rifts and animosity. Where there is
discord, that place shall always be devoid of stability and peace. But where
there is concord, even the enemy will fear attacking such a place. Unity and
oneness leads to success and prosperity, concordance does not entertain bad
actions, hostility and failure at any cost.
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(6)
BRAHMANASPATE ABHI RASHTRAYA VARDHYA |
-------------(29/1, Atharvaveda)
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O
Scholar! Work for the benefit of the nation
To keep the nation to grow and succeed it is imperative that we become strong,
healthy capable and mentally, morally strong. When social and other forces
shall be enhanced, they shall unequivocally result in national prosperity.
People should engage only in those actions, which are in the nations favour and
facilitate development and progress. Every person should dedicate himself for
the betterment and advancement of the country.
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(7)
YA ASHANAMASHAPALASHCHATVARA STHAN DEVAH |
TE NO NIRRITYAHA PASHEBHYO MUCHATANHASO ANHASAHA |
-------------(31/3, Atharvaveda)
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O
God! You are the protector of the four directions. Free us from sin, failure
and misery.
Alike the four directions North, South, East and West the body also possess
four openings or entrances. The East entrance (Mouth), West entrance (Rectum),
North entrance (Head), South entrance (Penis).
It is important that the body performs all its functions properly and
perfectly.
The "Life" enters the body via the north entrance and also is liberated
from the bonds of the body because of concerted effort. The southern entrance
is the penis, which consists of semen. One who keeps this balanced and
restrained becomes noble but he who is devoid of restraint ends up in misery.
The Eastern and the Western entrances are related to intake of food and
excretion of waste matter respectively. Human body should try to abstain from
the demerits of the personality.
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(8)
VACHA VADMI MADHUMADA BHUYASAM MADHU SANDRISHAMA |
-------------(34/3, Atharvaveda)
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I
speak sweetly and softly so that I emerge as an epitome of sweetness.
This sukta of Atharvaveda speak of MadhuVidya or the knowledge of sweetness.
According to this we should perceive the world alike nectar which is sweet and
pleasant.
In this way everyone should be devoid of hatred, harshness and filth. We should
strain our feelings incessantly by constantly contemplating upon oneself.
Every person should become amicable so that he befriends one and all. The
sweetness and pleasantness of personality should be evident in all our actions
and thoughts. In this way we shall be successful in establishing global peace
and happiness and help in ushering the feeling of brotherhood.
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Chapter
2:
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(9)
KSHTRENAGNE SWENA SAM RABHASVA MITRENAGNE MITRADHA YATASVA |
SAJATANAM MADHYAMESHTHA RAJAMAGNE VIHAVYO DIDIHEEHA |
-------------(2/4,Atharvaveda)
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O
Agni! May you become enthusiastic on basis of your own capabilities, may I act
like a friend with the friends, may I hold a respectable position in my
community, may I be honored by scholars and become enlightened.
We derive inspiration from here to become successful on basis of assuidity and
capabilities. We should always be ready to work diligently. By maintaining
friendship with friends, it helps us to improve upon our capabilities. We
should assume that aptitude and ability so that we are respected in our
community and honored in the company of scholars. The person who does so is
blessed with success and prosperity. |
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(10)
VISHWA HYAGNE DURITA TAR |
-------------(6/5, Atharvaveda)
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| O!
Agni! Surmount all the evils and sins. We should abstain from violence,
debauchary, evil deeds, sensual attachment, hatred, anger and ego.
We should strive to become pure and chaste. By renouncing these evils and sins,
one becomes prosperous and successful. |
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(11)
SHAPTARAMETU SHADATHO YAHA SUHARTA TENA NAHA SAHA |
-------------(7/5, Atharvaveda)
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May
the curse go back to the person who curses.
May we befriend them who are kind and polite.
If the person, who is cursed, is mentally strong then the curse shall backfire
and recoil and go back to the person who has given the curse. The person who
curses shall definitely suffer if the curse backfires.
Those whose minds are stable, pure and chaste are mentally and morally strong.
Therefore one should only befriend those people who are kind-hearted, polite
and engaged in good actions. |
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(12)
YASHCHAKAR SA NISHKARAT |
-------------(9/5,Atharvaveda)
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He
who constantly engages in action attains perfection.
Those people who work assiduously with interest, become conversant and expert
in their respective fields.
He who engages in practice and actions becomes noble and utilizes this
discipline in all spheres of life.
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(13)
PASHE SA BADDHO DURITE NI YUJYATAMA YO ASMAKAM MANA IDAM HINASTI |
-------------(12/2, Atharvaveda).
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All
that, which pollutes the mind, falls prey to evil and sin.All this should be
kept in total control.
Bad thought pollute our minds that's why need to discipline our mind. The
sinner should be punished severely, considering the gravity of the crime
committed. |
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(14)
AYA YAMASYA SADADAMAGNIDUTO ARANKRUTAHA |
-------------(12/7,Atharvaveda)
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Become
messenger of Agni, become powerful and then embrace death.
The person who is fearless and embraces death fearlessly is great and noble.
People fear death because of ignorance. When the flame of knowledge is
enkindled in the mind the fear of death ceases to exist. He, who controls his
senses, gains control all over the vital forces of life. He who sacrifices
himself in the fire of knowledge does not have the slightest of trepidation and
fear. Those who desire material and sensual pleasure and approach death with
fear they fall prey to the wrath of death.
Therefore one sees that there is a differences in the death of the ignorant and
the knowledgeable. |
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(15)
PARIDAMVASO ADHITHAHA SWASTAYE ABHURG RISHTINAMABHI SHASTIPA U |
SHATAM CHA JEEVA SHARADAHA PURUCHI KAYASCHA ROSHMUPASAMVYAYASVA |
-------------(13/3, Atharvaveda)
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Wear
this attire for your welfare, you are the one who protects human from
destruction. In this way live for a hundred years and become healthy
(nourished) and wealthy.
Weave the cloth of life with the help of good health and wealth. By wearing
such attire you shall be blessed with a long life and save all from
destruction. The people who wear the cloth that is intricately woven with
threads of comfort, health and wealth are devoid of destruction, illness and
misery. Such people are always blessed with a long life and a healthy body.
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(16)
YATHABHUTAM CHA BHAVYAM CHA NA VIBHITO NA RISHYATAHA AEVA MEM PRANA MA VIBHEHE
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-------------(15/6, Atharvaveda)
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The
past and present are fearless that is why they are indestructible. Alike them O
Life! Don't fear anything.
All human fear, the present not the past and the future. The past exhibits
everything, which is truthful. People seldom fear the past and the things
probable and improbable i.e. the future. He, who takes lessons from his past
and improves on himself, does not fear the future. Truth is eternally vicious,
that is why humans should fearlessly, accomplish all the duties properly.
Fearlessness leads to immorality.
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(17)
YATHA JEEVA ADITERUPASTHE PRANA APANABHYAM GUPITAHA SHATAM HIMAHA |
-------------(28/4,Atharvaveda)
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So
that you life and energy increases and you are blessed with a life of hundred
years in the lap of your motherland.
The upper half of the body till the navel is known as Prana and the
lower half below the navel is known as Apana. When prana is enhanced, it
exerts a good effect even on the Apana and as a result all the function
of apana are performed perfectly. One, who enhances the strength of prana and
apana through Yoga sadhana, is blessed with long healthy life.
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