Contents Atharvaveda

1 contents

1.1 samhita

1.1.1 surgical , medical speculations
1.1.2 charms against fever, jaundice , diseases
1.1.3 remedy medicinal herbs
1.1.4 spells , prayers gain lover, wife
1.1.5 speculations on nature of man, life, , evil
1.1.6 prayer peace


1.2 brahmana
1.3 upanishads

1.3.1 mundaka upanishad
1.3.2 mandukya upanishad
1.3.3 prashna upanishad

contents

the atharvaveda samhita contains hymns many of charms, magic spells , incantations meant pronounced person seeks benefit, or more sorcerer on or behalf. frequent goal of these hymns charms , spells long life of loved 1 or recovery illness. in these cases, affected given substances such plant (leaf, seed, root) , amulet. magic spells soldiers going war goal of defeating enemy, others anxious lovers seeking remove rivals or attract lover less interested, success @ sporting event, in economic activity, bounty of cattle , crops, or removal of petty pest bothering household. hymns not magic spells , charms, prayer qua prayer , philosophical speculations.

the contents of atharvaveda contrasts other vedas. 19th century indologist weber summarized contrast follows,

the spirit of 2 collections [rigveda, atharvaveda] indeed different. in rigveda there breathes lively natural feeling, warm love nature; while in atharva there prevails, on contrary, anxious dread of evil spirits , magical powers. in rigveda find people in state of free activity , independence; in atharva see bound in fetters of hierarchy , superstition.

jan gonda cautions incorrect label atharvaveda samhita mere compilation of magical formulas, witchcraft , sorcery. while such verses indeed present in samhita layer, significant portion of samhita text hymns domestic rituals without magic or spells, , theosophical speculations such vedic gods 1 . additionally, non-samhita layers of atharvaveda text include brahmana , several influential upanishads.

samhita
surgical , medical speculations

the atharvaveda includes mantras , verses treating variety of ailments. example, verses in hymn 4.15 of discovered paippalada version of atharvaveda, discuss how deal open fracture, , how wrap wound rohini plant (ficus infectoria, native india):

charms against fever, jaundice , diseases

numerous hymns of atharvaveda prayers , incantations wishing child or loved 1 on sickness , become healthy again, along comforting family members. vedic era assumption diseases caused evil spirits, external beings or demonic forces enter body of victim cause sickness. hymn 5.21 of paippalāda edition of text, example, states,

remedy medicinal herbs

several hymns in atharvaveda such hymn 8.7, rigveda s hymn 10.97, praise of medicinal herbs , plants, suggesting speculations medical , health value of plants , herbs emerging field of knowledge in ancient india. atharvavedic hymn states (abridged),

spells , prayers gain lover, wife

the contents of atharvaveda have been studied glean information social , cultural mores in vedic era of india. number of verses relate spells gaining husband, or wife, or love of woman, or prevent rivals winning on 1 s love interest .

speculations on nature of man, life, , evil

the atharvaveda samhita, other vedas, includes hymns such 4.1, 5.6, 10.7, 13.4, 17.1, 19.53-54, metaphysical questions on nature of existence, man, heaven , hell, , evil. hymn 10.7 of atharvaveda, example, asks questions such source of cosmic order? , planted notion of faith, holy duty, truth? how earth , sky held? there space beyond sky? seasons , go? skambha (literally cosmic pillar , synonym brahman) penetrate or somethings? skambha know future? skambha basis of law, devotion , belief? or skambha?

the wonderful structure of man

the atharvaveda, other vedic texts, states william norman brown, goes beyond duality of heaven , hell, , speculates on idea of skambha or brahman pervasive monism. , evil, sat , asat (truth , untruth) conceptualized differently in these hymns of atharvaveda, , vedic thought, wherein these not dualistic explanation of nature of creation, universe or man, rather text transcends these , duality therein. order established out of chaos, truth established out of untruth, process , universal principles transcend , evil.

prayer peace

some hymns prayer qua prayer, desiring harmony , peace. example,

brahmana

the atharvaveda includes gopatha brahmana text, goes atharva samhita.

upanishads

the atharvaveda has 3 primary upanishads embedded within it.

mundaka upanishad

the mundaka upanishad, embedded inside atharvaveda, poetic-style upanishad, 64 verses, written in form of mantras. however, these mantras not used in rituals, rather used teaching , meditation on spiritual knowledge. in ancient , medieval era indian literature , commentaries, mundaka upanishad referred 1 of mantra upanishads.

the mundaka upanishad contains 3 mundakams (parts), each 2 sections. first mundakam, states roer, defines science of higher knowledge , lower knowledge , , asserts acts of oblations , pious gifts foolish, , nothing reduce unhappiness in current life or next, rather knowledge frees. second mundakam describes nature of brahman, atman (self, soul), , path know brahman. third mundakam continues discussion , asserts state of knowing brahman 1 of freedom, fearlessness, liberation , bliss. mundaka upanishad 1 of text discuss pantheism theory in hindu scriptures. text, other upanishads, discusses ethics.

through continuous pursuit of satya (truthfulness), tapas (perseverance, austerity), samyajñāna (correct knowledge), , brahmacharya, 1 attains atman (self, soul).

mandukya upanishad

the mandukya upanishad shortest of upanishads, found in atharvaveda text. text discusses syllable om, presents theory of 4 states of consciousness, asserts existence , nature of atman (soul, self).

the mandukya upanishad notable inspiring gaudapada s karika, classic vedanta school of hinduism. mandukya upanishad among oft cited texts on chronology , philosophical relationship between hinduism , buddhism.

prashna upanishad

the prashna upanishad paippalada school of atharvavedins.

the text contains 6 prashna (questions), , each chapter discussion of answers. first 3 questions profound metaphysical questions but, states eduard roer, not contain defined, philosophical answers, embellished mythology , symbolism. fourth section, in contrast, contains substantial philosophy. last 2 sections discuss symbol om , moksha concept.

the prashna upanishad notable structure , sociological insights education process in ancient india.