AtharvaVeda

Atharvaveda is the newest of the four Vedas. This Veda talks about important things like Geography, Astronomy, Botany, Ayurveda, Economics, Witchcraft and many more. Although many scholars do not consider it a part of the Vedas. Atharveda is made up of a combination of two letters – Arthva + Veda. The word therva in Atharva means to move/or move, and atharva means that which is stable. Scholars write about it that the knowledge of Vedas which is stable is Atharvaveda. That is, the knowledge of the one-sided, all-pervading Parabrahma Parmeshwar is unchanging. Ritvik of Atharvaveda is Brahma. Its acharya is Sumanta and main deity is Soma. It is also known by many other names. Like – Kshatraveda, Chandoveda, Bhaishjyaveda, Mahiveda etc. Maharishi Patanjali and Maharishi Shaunak have accepted its 9 branches, although there is a difference in their names.

Atharvaveda is composed by Angira and Atharva Rishi. Atharvaveda is composed by Angira and Atharva Rishi. According to Hindu scriptures, it was he who first manifested fire from Arani Manthan. Apart from this, he had also invented hydroelectric power from water churning and natural gas by mining.

Description of 20 Kandas of Atharvaveda

Details of 9 branches of Atharvaveda are available. Which is as follows:-

  1. Stauda
  2. Paippalada
  3. Maud
  4. Shaunak
  5. Jajala
  6. Jalada
  7. Brahmavada
  8. Devadarsa
  9. Charanavaidya

Kandas in Atharvaveda

Short Description

1st  Kand

In this Kand, there are mantras for various diseases, enemy destruction, childbirth, body confirmation, disease prevention, longevity etc.

2nd Kand

The subject matter of this kand is almost the same as that of the first kand. In this too, sin redemption, enemy destruction, longevity, Dashayanash, protection, strength-attainment, worm-bhanjan, Vishwakarma etc. have been explained.

3rd  Kand

In the third kand of Atharvaveda, hypnosis of the enemy’s army, establishment of self-rule, suitable king for the nation, enemy destruction, longevity, destruction of sorrows, commerce, agriculture, vegetation, peace, prosperity etc. have been said.

4th Kand

There is information related to Brahmavidya, Atmavidya, enemy destruction, gambling, disease prevention, sin redemption, army care, protection from insects, poisoning, coronation etc. in this case. Varun Dev is praised in this.

5th Kand

The special importance of the Brahmin caste has been explained in this episode. Apart from this, there are mantras related to enemy destruction, victory, freedom from leprosy, Brahmavidya, soul, self-defense, measures of all-destruction, freedom from diseases, pregnancy, fire.

6th Kand

In this Kand of Atharvaveda, the destruction of nightmares, the prosperity of food, the destruction of enemies, the removal of poison from snakes, the renunciation of jealousy, medicine – knowledge, the destruction of sin, longevity, healing, water – healing, fame, good luck, etc. have been discussed.

7th Kand

In its 7th episode, the soul, the divine, Shatrunash, Saraswati, Rashtrasabha, Savita, Vishnu, Papmochan, Agni, Dharma, Gau, Amrit etc. have been told.

8th Kand

In its 8th kand, there are mantras for longevity, destruction of enemies, cure for pregnancy, medicine, great God etc. In this, the number of alphabets of 7 verses of Rigveda has been told. This episode of the Atharva Veda is especially known for the mantra that conquers death.

9th Kand

There are mantras of Madhu Vidya, Kama, Shala, Rishabh, guest hospitality, cow, soul etc. in this episode. Here it has been talked about sweet behavior and education by the parents to their children.

10th Kand

In the 10th Kand of the Atharvaveda, there are mantras of Brahma, Sarpavishnivaran, Vijay, Manibandha, Brahmacharya, etc. In this, information related to the subject of Sanatan Brahma is obtained. It has total 10 suktas and 350 mantras.

11th Kand

In this kand, there are mantras of Brahma, Rudra, Prana, celibacy, sin redemption, spirituality, enemy removal etc. with the help of 11th Kand, we also come to know that the ancient sage had excellent knowledge of vehicles, aircraft, arts etc.

12th Kand

It has mantras of motherland, heaven, sky etc. Animals roaming on the land have special importance for agriculture. There are living beings of different colors, forms and voices living on this earth, for all of them the sage wishes for their happiness and prosperity in the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.

13th Kand

Spirituality has been described in the 13th Kanda of Atharveda. Yogis meditate on Jagdishwar in the form of light and get his company and experience bliss. Seeing everyone equally, that God keeps nature regulated.

14th kand

There is a mantra related to marriage in this kand.

15th Kand

This Kand also describes spirituality like the 13th Kand. In this, the description of the spiritual episode, the glory of God etc. is found.

16th Kand

There are mantras for the removal of sorrows in this kand. This whole world is bound by sorrow. Man wants to get out of this sorrow and spend his life in the desire of happiness.

17th Kand

It contains mantras of Mohan, Vashikaran and Abhyudaya prayer.

18th Kand

The funeral ceremony is described in the 18th episode. (In this the rituals after death have been explained.)

19th kand

A detailed description of astrology is found in the 19th Kanda of Atharvaveda. In this, the description of Yajnakarma, peace, longevity, fearlessness, protection, Brahma, horse, ego, manibandha, strength-attainment, destruction of diseases, herbs, night, Brahmayagya, Vedmata, Time etc. is found.

20th Kand

Its 20th Kand is the biggest Kand of Atharva Veda. Most of its mantras are taken from Rigveda. It also contains mantras of Samveda. Here mainly there are mantras of worship of Indra.

Brahman, Aranyak and Upnishad of Atharvaveda

The Brahmin of the Atharvaveda is the Gopath Brahmin. No Aranyak is found for this. Its 3 Upanishads are known.

  1. Prashnopanishad
  2. Mundakopanishad
  3. mandukyopanishad
Mundaka Upanishad is one of the major Upanishads of Atharva Veda. Its type of composition is like a poem, which has 64 verses which are composed in the form of mantras. Although these mantras are not used for worship. They are specially meant for spiritual knowledge.
 
The Mandukyopanishad is one of the three Upanishads of the Atharvaveda. This Upanishad also talks about spirituality. It mainly describes the four states of the soul, namely Jagrata, Swapna, Sushupti and Turiya. Although this Upanishad is small in size, but the special description of the states of the soul makes it a special Upanishad.
 
As its name itself suggests “Prashno Upanishad”, through the 6 questions in this Upanishad, you can understand the mystery of spirituality and philosophy. Every Chapter ends with the answer to each of its questions.

Spirituality of Atharvaveda

Atharvaveda is full of knowledge of spirituality and philosophy. Vedic sages discovered many divine powers through meditation and contemplation. By self-realization or knowing oneself one can attain “Sthitapragya”. In the Atharva Veda it is called restlessness. That is, the one who is stable. The one who has got control over all his senses, is physically, mentally, intellectually stable, only he is called “Sthitapragya”. Witchcraft, etc. have also been talked about in Atharvveda, due to which it is more famous, but Atharvveda itself sees it as a fault. Most of its mantras are related to the worship of Brahmasatta.

Brahmasatta which is unknown means it is there but it cannot be detected. But still the effort of Sakchatar is visible from that unknown Brahmasatta. He is beyond our understanding, yet He protects us, He saves us from our misfortune, He saves us from destruction and many more troubles. How can we find that Brahmasatta which can solve our problems, this is the main topic of Atharva Veda.

In the Atharva Veda, spiritual knowledge is called “Guha Adhyatmik Vidya” – which means mysterious knowledge and in this the realization of God is also considered mysterious. The knowledge that gives an interview to that Parabrahma, that knowledge with esoteric elements is called “Guhya Adhyatmik Vidya”. Everyone can get it through meditation.

Atharvaveda on Yoga

Atharva Veda has said many things in the context of Yoga-Vidya. According to this, it considers the human body as Ayodhyapuri. Ayodhya with 8 chakras and 9 gates remains under the control of the gods until the Devasur Sangram does not happen. (Here Devasur Sangram refers to Sadvritiya (Good Deeds) and Duspravartiya (Bad Deeds).)

According to Yoga Vidya, this human body has eight chakras like Mooladhara and nine senses in the form of senses. In the center heart of this city is situated the “luminous heaven”. This is where God can be found through the means of Yama, Niyam, Pratyahara, Pranayama etc.

Kundalini Shakti is awakened by piercing the 8 chakras present in the body and it is taken to God present in Brahmarandhra. For this the seeker has to do hard meditation.

Tantric power of Atharvaveda

Atharveda has talked about its secret knowledge to spend life happily, and to achieve salvation by receiving blessings from God. The ancient sages have included all aspects of human life through the Atharva Veda. The means of Tantra Science are available in the Atharva Veda to achieve Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. Vedic sages say that Vedas are self-evident. There is no need of any other literature to reveal his secret. It is full of both knowledge and science. A total of 33 gods have been described in the Vedas. Atharva Veda considers these gods as the protectors of the universe and also considers all these gods as the father of Tantra Shakti.

The Tantra Shakti of Atharveda is a powerful internal process. As the resolution is made through mantras, so is the power generated. Whenever the seeker uses these mantras on any creature who is afflicted by ghosts or any other kind of negative energy, it automatically comes to the fore. After questioning them, the seeker takes them under his control by proper mantras and the creature gets freedom from them.

The mantra contained in the Atharvaveda not only cures evil spirits or demonic obstacles, it also cures many other obstacles as well. The cultivation area of its power is very wide. Various upper air diseases, ghosts, suffering, poverty, vashikaran manibandh, sorcery etc. can also be resolved by this tantric power.

The sages of Atharvaveda say that the communication of Prana-Shakti takes place in every part of the human body without any hindrance, but whenever this communication stops, it arises in the form of disease. Their treatment is possible by the mantras given in Atharva Veda, even many incurable diseases are also possible to be cured. The tantrik of Atharvaveda observes the communication speed of life force with precision and also diagnoses diseases. There is a network of 82000 nadis spread in the body. Whose main centers are in the hands, feet, and head. Taking the patient’s head or hand in his hand, the healer detects his disease (obstruction in the circulation of life force) and cures it by the mantras of the Atharva Veda.

Mantra Vidya of Atharvaveda

In the Atharvaveda “Mantra Vidya” is divided into five parts. Their order is as follows:-

  1. Sankalp Mantra or Aavesh Mantra
  2. Abhimarshan or Marjan Mantra
  3. Aadesh mantra
  4. manibandham mantra
  5. Kritya or Abhichar Mantra
Sankalp Mantra or Aavesh Mantra –  Mantras are used in Sankalp mantras to remove the effects of nightmares, sorrows, evil spirits, sins, curses etc. In this, the healer places his hand on the head of the patient or a sad creature and while reciting the mantra makes the patient resolve to be healthy and happy.

Abhimarshan or Marjan Mantra –  In this mantras are recited by touching the body of the patient or guilty person. Abhimarshan means touching the body parts of the patient from top to bottom with the fingers of both the hands.

Aadesh mantra –  Aadesh Mantra is used on such patient who is mentally ill, insane, or robber, murderer, drug addict, lazy, worry etc. In Atharveda it is called Samvashikaran. In English it is called hypnotize.

Manibandham Mantra –  By this, victory in war, enemy defeat, evil, misfortune, sin, curse etc. are removed. Here “mani” means vines, roots of trees, flowers and fruits and seeds etc. according to Atharveda. They are invoked by mantras and are tied to the body of an animal as a talisman or thrown at the enemy.

Kritya or Abhichar Mantra –  The use of these types of mantras are the mantras of Maran, Mohan, Uchchatan, Keelan, Vidveshan, and Vashikaran. In the Atharva Veda, to eliminate their effect, the law of performing Havan with 32 mantras has been told.

Editor's thoughts on Atharvaveda

In the first Sukta of the fifth Kanda of Atharveda, through nine mantras, the esoteric teaching of spiritual knowledge has been given. The essence of these mantras is that the living being should always be free from the fear of death and consider himself immortal. Stay away from negative thoughts and honestly realize your self-power. Have kindness, affection, sympathy, and harmony towards all living beings. Use your power for good use, keep all your senses under your control and live a blissful life by meditating on that Sachchidananda Swarup.

Apart from this, Atharvaveda is asking to stay away from bad deeds. It has been said to avoid committing vile acts like theft, looting, misconduct, drinking alcohol, gambling, abortion etc. Here the living beings have been told to follow the virtues.