The Essence of Atharvaveda

The fourth veda is Atharvaveda. The word 'Tharva' means fickle or unsteady.Therefore, the word "Atharva" means that which is unwavering, unchanging or steady. This is beautifully said in sanskrit as follows THARVA GATI KARMAA NA THARVA ITI ATHARVA |
The philosophy of Yoga speaks that-

YOGASH CHITTA VRITTI NIRODHAH | i.e. controlling the fickle impulses of the mind and consequently the senses is 'yoga'. The Gita reiterates that when the mind is free from impure thoughts,it becomes steady and the person becomes resolute or 'Sthita-Pragya'. The term "Atharva" therefore refers to positive moulding of personality by controlling our senses and steading the thought processes of mind. The 'Atharvaveda' speaks comprehensively on wide ranging subjects Social structure, Yoga, the human anatomy and different ailments it suffers from, spirituality and of course religion apart from many other important subjects. This knowledge is of immense value to humanity and is hence worth bringing in practice.

The Atharvaveda is a fusion of prose and poetry. A number of valuable informations related to Ayurveda find mention here, and for this very reason Ayurveda is also considered to be the Upaveda (Sub-Veda) of Atharvaveda.

Brahmanas come second only to Vedas in importance. Brahmanas are categorised into 3 types i.e. Brahmana, Aranyaka and Upanishads. Scholars are of the view that they symbolizes the three ashrams-Grihastha, Vaanprashtha and Sanyas . Gopath- the only Brahmana text of Atharvaveda is very famous.

Gopath is classified into 2 sections
(1) Purvardha {first half}
(2) Uttarardha {second half}.
The Purvardha comprises of a number of discources while the Uttarardha comprises of critical analysis of rituals, etc. One does not come across any Aranyaka text of the Atharvaveda but there are a number of Upanishads.

The prominent upanishads of Atharvaveda are Mundak, Mandukya, Prashna and Nrisinhapini. The Muktikopanishad speaks of 93 Upanishads of Atharvaveda.

Chapter 1:

(1) VACHASPATIRNI YACHCHHUTA

-------------(1/3, Atharvaveda)

May the scholars(also) become disciplined!
People who lead disciplined lives accomplish all their tasks easily and achieve success in whatever endeavours they undertake. Quite naturally, common people take inspirations from them and try to emulate them.

(2) SAM SHRUTEN GAMEMAHIMAA SHRUTEN VI RAADHISHI |

-------------(1/4, Atharvaveda)

May we all become knowledgeable and never detest knowledge!
'Vidya' can only be attained from a Guru. One, who teaches and imparts knowledge properly to his disciple is an ideal guru. He, who acquires knowledge and then utilizes it in his day to day life is worthy of being called a knowledgeable one. Knowledge not only helps us material success but it also enhances our spiritual growth. Therefore, we should always try to acquire as much knowledge as possible but at the same time we should be careful not to let pseudo-knowledge influence us. Knowledge liberates us from all kinds of bondages and miseries.

(3) APSWANTAR MRITAMAPSU BHESHAJAM |

-------------(4/4 Atharvaveda)

Water is the elixir of life, water contain medicines!
Water is the abject necessity for any kind of life to exist. A man can sustain himself without food for few days but he can not live without water for a single day.In this particular 'richa' Water has most approriately been compared to 'ambrosia' because it purifies the body from all kinds of toxicants and gives new life. Water also possesses medicinal properties. It frees the body from different 'doshas' (ailments) and is hence known as Bheshagya- which purifies the body from all kinds of impurities.

(4) SHAM MEIM CHATURBHYAA ANGEBHYAH SHAMASTU TANVE MAM |

-------------(12/4 Atharvaveda)

May my four organs be free from ailments! May my entire body be healthy and strong!
The body should be sound and healthy because only then we can have a healthy mind. An unhealthy body can never enjoy happiness. Therefore one should strive to maintain good health by taking balanced diet and exercising regularly.

(5) ADAARASRID BHAVATU |

-------------(20/1, Atharvaveda)

May there be nobody to create a rift between us!
Clahes of thoughts and conflict of ideas lead to war. The human tendency to dominate each other inevitably leads to rifts and animosity. Success,peace and prosperity will always remain elusive as long as there is 'discord' but where there is 'unity' perfect harmony prevails there and nobody would dare to attack such a place.

(6) BRAHMANASPATE ABHI RASHTRAYA VARDHYA |

-------------(29/1, Atharvaveda)

O Scholar! Work for the welfare of the nation!
The nation can grow and prosper only if the population is healthy and strong both physically and morally. Enhancement of individual growth and success shall unequivocally lead to national prosperity. Therefore, people should indulge only in such deeds which facilitates the development and progress of the nation. It is the duty of every individual to dedicate himself for the betterment and advancement of the country.

(7) YA AASHAA NAAMAA SHAAPAALAASH CHATVAARA STHAN DEVAAH |
TE NO NIRRITYAAH PAASHEBHYO MUCHATAAN HASO ANHASAH ||

-------------(31/3, Atharvaveda)

O Dikpaals! the Lords of four directions! Liberate us from the bondages of failures, degradations and all kinds of sin!
Just like the four main directions (North, South, East and West) the body also possess four openings or doors- the East door is Mouth, the West door is Rectum, the North door is Head while the South door is Private part.
For the body to perform to the optimum level it is necessary that all the doors work perfectly.
The "nutritions" enter the body through the East entrance-mouth and the waste is released from the body through the west door- rectum. Both these functions of the body are essential for good health. The 'Jivatma' enters the body through the North door- Head and gets liberated from the bondages of life by becoming enlightened. Similarly, the southern door is the private part which is unfortunately the most abused organ in the modern times due to unrestrained sexual indulgence. The richa stresses on the importance of self control which implies that one who utilizes these doors in a restrained way becomes noble but one who misuses them ends up in misery.

(8) VAACHAA VADAAMI MADHUMAD BHUYAASAM MADHU SANDRISHAH |

-------------(34/3, Atharvaveda)

I speak 'sweetly' with the desire of becoming the very epitome of 'sweetness'!
This sukta of Atharvaveda speak of 'Madhu Vidya', which states that the world is sweet like honey but only when we look at it from the positive point of view. To the jaudinced eye the world will certainly appear yellow. Everything changes with the change in attitude. If we are good to people then we are reciprocated in the same manner but if we are bad to them then we will most obviously be paid in the same coin.
This richa means to say that everybody should try to free himself from the negative qualities like hatred, jealousy and wickedness. Contemplating and meditating on the 'real-self' accelerates this process of self-development and makes liberation possible.
This richa also implies that every individual's behaviour should be such that he befriends one and all. The sweetness and pleasantness of personality should be evident in his actions and thoughts. This will help in establishing peace and happiness all round and lead to the feeling of universal brotherhood.

Chapter 2:

(9) KSHATRENAAGNE SWENA SAM RABHASVA MITRENAAGNE MITRADHAA YATASVA |
SAJAATAANAAM MADHYAMESHTHAA RAAJAAMAGNE VIHAVYO DEEDIHEEHA |

-------------(2/4,Atharvaveda)

O Agni! May I become more enthusiastic by the virtue of my own efforts! May I behave friendly with friends! May I earn respect of my community and be offered the seat of honour in the gathering of my community! May I be honored by scholars!
This richa inspires us to work incessantly for the enhancement of our capabilities. We should always be ready to work diligently. Maintaining cordial relationship with friends help us in improving upon our own capabilities. Our conduct should be such that we earn respect not only in our own community but also get honoured by scholars. The person who does so is blessed with success and prosperity.

(10) VISHWA HYAGNE DURITA TAR |

-------------(6/5, Atharvaveda)

O! Agni! Surmount all the evil tendencies! This particular richa clearly stresses upon the importance of virtuous living free from any kind of sinful tendencies. Therefore, we should abstain from violence, debauchery, evil deeds, sensual-attachment, hatred, anger and ego. We should constantly strive to become purer. Renouncement of such evils and sins helps in the attainment of prosperity and success.

(11) SHAPTAARAMETU SHAPATHO YAH SUHAARTA TENA NAH SAHA |

-------------(7/5, Atharvaveda)

May the curses rebound to the caluminator!
May we befriend only those who are kind and polite.
Mind is a double edged sword. It has immense power and it is capable of accomplishing both useful and destructive feats. Curses are neagative outbursts which backfires and hit the very person who commits this deplorable act.
One, whose mind is stable, pure and chaste is strong mentally as well as morally. Therefore, one should only befriend such people who are kind-hearted, polite and virtuous.

(12) YASHCHAKAAR SA NISHKARAT |

-------------(9/5,Atharvaveda)

He, who works incessantly, accomplishes any task that he undertakes!
One who works assiduously and wholeheartedly without bothering about the results shall definitely accomplish his tasks.
This also has an added advantage in the form of professional perfection as constant practice proves to be of great help in fine tuning his capabilities.

(13) PAASHE SA BADDHO DURITE NI YUJYATAAM YO ASMAAKAM MANA IDAM HINASTI |

-------------(12/2, Atharvaveda).

One, who pollutes the mind, is fastened by the bondages of 'sin'! May he be kept in total control!
This richa means to say that people who pollute our mind with their impure and sinful thoughts must be kept in check. Bad thoughts pollute our mind and it is necessary that we discipline it by practising self-control. The sinner should be punished severely so that he does'nt dare to repeat his crime.

(14) AYAA YAMASYA SAADANAM AGNIDUTO ARANKRITAH |

-------------(12/7,Atharvaveda)

Be a messenger of Agni and become an accomplished soul! Go to 'Yama's' place!
This 'richa' praises the virtues of fearlessness. A truly fearless person embraces even death without any kind of hesitation. One fears death because of ignorance but when the 'flame of knowledge' is enkindled in the mind then the 'fear of death' ceases to exist. He, who controls his senses and 'sacrifices' himself in the 'fire of knowledge' does not have the slightest of trepidation and fear. Those, who indulge excessively in material and sensual pleasures approach death with fear and inevitably fall prey to the wrath of death.
Therefore, it is evident that there is a differences in the death of the 'ignorant' and that of a 'knowledgeable'.

(15)PARIDANVAASO ADHITHAA SWASTAYE ABHURGRISHTI NAAMABHI SHASTIPAA U |
SHATAM CHA JEEVA SHARADAHA PURUCHI KAYASCHA ROSHMUPASAMVYAYASVA ||

-------------(13/3, Atharvaveda)

Wear this attire for your own welfare! Thou are the protector of humans from destruction! May you live like this for one hundred years 'weaving' the clothes of 'Wealth' and 'Nourishment'!
This particular 'richa' stresses upon the importance of good health and wealth in man's life. It exhorts us to weave the 'cloth' of life with the help of good health and wealth. Wearing such an attire shall bless us with a long life and save us from destruction. One, who wears the 'cloth' intricately woven with threads of 'comfort', 'good-health' and 'wealth' becomes free from all kind of illness, misery and even destruction. Such a man is always blessed with a long, healthy and prosperous life.

(16) YATHAABHUTAM CHA BHAVYAM CHA NA VIBHEETO NA RISHYATAH| EVAA MEIN PRAANA MAA VIBHEH |

-------------(15/6, Atharvaveda)

The 'Past' and the 'Future' being fearless, are indestructible! In the same way, O Life! Be free from fear.
A man is not scared of the 'Past' i.e. bygone days, no matter how bitter it might have been. Similarly, 'Future'-which is uncertain and still to come also does not scare a man. But, in comparison, Present is capable of scarring a man to death.The past is 'truth' because events have already happened and they can not be questioned. One, who takes lessons from his past and improves on himself need not fear the future. Truth is eternal and prevails ultimately. So, in order to accomplish his duties fearlessly, a man must take the refuge of 'Truth'. This becomes all the more important considering the fact that Fearlessness leads to immortality.

(17) YATHAA JEEVAA ADITE RUPASTHE PRAANA APAANAABHYAAM GUPITAH SHATAM HIMAAH|

-------------(28/4,Atharvaveda)

......So that you are blessed with 'Prana' and 'Apana'(types of air movement in our body) and live for hundred years being protected by the 'motherland'.
There are different types of air movement within our body. The air that we inhale through our nostrils is called Prana and it's movement is restricted in the upper half of the body( till the navel) and the air moving in the lower half i.e. below the navel is known as Apana. When prana is enhanced with the help of Pranayam, it exerts a good effect even on the Apana and as a result all the function of 'apana' are performed perfectly. Therefore, one should try to enhance the strength of prana and apana through Yoga sadhana for a long and healthy life.