Atharva Vedas

Atharvaveda is last among all four vedas, but it has not been included in the class of ‘VED TRAYI’. Many scholars consider it as most significant on the basis of its importance. It has embodied the totality of life in itself. Other vedas are much more associated with, spistuality while this veda is associated with physical life.

It is quite different in many ways from other vedas. The subjects related to the physical life is more dominant in it. It differs from other vedas in languages used in it and is considerably seems to be influenced with local language. it was composed after 800 B.C. in the last after all other vedas.

According to famous Vedic Acharya, Bhagwati Devi Verune, there is hidden/sacred knowledge beside pure science in other branches of vedas but Atharveda contains practical knowledge beside secrecies of scientific knowledge.

‘Ath’ literally means of welfare. ‘Atharved stands for Agni (fire) & ‘Athervan’ means ‘priest’. Thus those ved is called Atharveda, whose shlokas all problems difficulties, natural calamities, problems related with evil spirets etc. Through agni (yagya) & does welfare of common people.

This Veda contains mention of Gods more than other vedas, however, theoretically, this veda is dedicated to ‘Parampita’ (God). Its nature is related with Indrajaal, removal of bad spirits etc. The shlokas/matras of both, peace-giving & thought-provoking have been used in it.

Mahabhashya of Patanjali mentions a branches of Atharveda. According to Laaryan rishi, the names of these are – Vaiplaad, Taound, Maand, Shouskiya, Jajal, Jalad, Brahmanical, Devadarshi and charan vaidya. Presently, its two branches – viplaad & shouskiya are avfailable.

Presently, available Atharveda contains 20 Kaands (section) with 731 Sukta (hymns) & 5977 total mantrass. it is written in mixed style. Its section (kaand) No. 15 & 16 are in prose style while 17th Kaand (section) in both proofe as well as poetry style-mixed style. Other Kaand (section) are found in poetry style.

The Chief Priest of Atharvveda was known as Braham. he has status of chief among all priest. His duties was monotor supervise and conduct all kinds of yagya methods as such he used to be an expert of all vedas beside he used to be mentally tough and confidant.

In vedic literature there are several name for atharvveda. It contains 900 mantras dedicated to supreme god Brahama and it was used by the priest name Brahama, So it is also called Brahamveda like wise the visimany of this veda and disciple of angarik rishi, Bhrigu, is given credit for its popularity and as such it is also known as Bhringbang rish veda.

The Kensukta an important section of atharveda is considered as the oldest souls of medical science in India. It contains names of several herbal plants and manras to get rid of critical disease its cause an also associated with different body parts. So it is also called Bheshad veda.

Twelfth section of this veda contains and very important sukta called Mahi Sukle or prithivi sukta containg total 63 mantras. This founds discussion about mantra, Matabhumi putro aham Pratimayua, in which earth has been called the mother. It is the oldest thought of mother land due to importance of this sukta it is also called mahiveda.

On the basis of compilation years, athavveda is divided into four parts. its first part contians 1 to 7 sctions. It contains very less number of mantrass. In its sukta from 1 to 8 ‘These sukta is associated with medicinal remedies of disease end of enemy long life animal related etc.

8-12 section of this sukta are very large. Prithivi Sukta contains 63 mantras. It is associated with several types of victory anjd names of animals. Thus the Sukta of this part has different types of subject.

3rd part inmcludes 13-18 sections. The Suktas of this part has uniformity in each section for example 13 section has spritual subjects and mantras then marriage related mantras are found in 14th section. 16th section contains mantrass for ending bad dreams then 17th section includes mantras associated with hypnotism.

19-20th section are found in 4th part and most of the mantras are- P. 40? 20th section contains mantras associated with Somyagya.

Indeed it has been said about atharvaveda on bhasya. That the absolute knowledge of atharveda fullfills all kinds of purushartha.

Atharveda is very significant from social and cultural view. the oldest proof use of word slave is found in it beside mention of sacred thread ceremony (upnayan sanskar). the word gotra and Sangathan were mention in it for the first time.

This Veda also provides information about movement of aryans towards east in detail probably aryans had recided in the valley of ganga vriver by this time. For the first time the regions like any and Magadh were described in atharveda.

Several commentries have been written on atharvaveda for first time acharya Sayan wrote a commentry on it in 14th century and on this basis several literature were published. In the last year of 19th century griffith had published it in english in two parts. Ludewish is credited for publishing it in german language.

Gopath Brahaman is the only Brahaman associated with atharveda which is smallest of all Brahamanas three vedic upnishads – Manduk, Prashan and Mandukya are associated with atharvaveda.