Monday, August 19, 2013

Appendix C: Ganga Herb as a Spiritual Panacea and Gift from Creator and Source: Selected Hymns of the Atharva Veda


Ganga Herb as a Spiritual Panacea and Gift from Creator and Source:
Selected Hymns of the Atharva Veda

Vedas are Hindu Holy Scriptures from 4000 BC through 1500 AD.
Translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith, [1895] http://www.sacred-texts.com

HYMN IV
A charm to ensure health and prosperity by wearing an amulet
1 For length of life, for mighty joy, uninjured, ever showing strength. We wear Vishkandha's antidote, the Amulet of Jangida.
2 Amulet of a thousand powers, Jangida save us, all around. From Jambha, and from Viara, Vishkandha, and tormenting pain.
3 This overcomes Vishkandha, this chases the greedy fiends away: May this our panacea, may Jangida save us from distress.
4 With Jangida that brings delight, Amulet given by the Gods, We in the conflict overcome Vishkandha and all Rākshasas.
5 May Cannabis and Jangida preserve me from Vishkandha,— that Brought to us from the forest, this sprung from the saps of husbandry.
6 This Amulet destroys the might of magic and malignity: So may victorious Jangida prolong the years we have to live.

HYMN XXXIV
A protective charm addressed to the panacea called A Jangida
1 Jangida, thou art Angiras: thou art a guardian, Jangida. Let Jangida, keep safely all our bipeds and our quadrupeds.
2 Dice-witcheries, the fifty-threes, the hundred witchcraft-practi- sers, All these may Jangida make weak, bereft of their effectual force.
3 Baffle the loud factitious howl, make impotent the seven decays. As when an archer speeds the shaft, drive away want, O Jangida,
4 This counteracts the sorceress, this banishes malignity: Then may victorious Jangida's prolong the days we have to live.
5 Let Jangida's protecting might encompass us on every side. Wherewith he quells Vishkandha and Sanskandha, might by greater might.
6 Three times the Gods engendered thee fixt on the surface of the earth; The Brāhmans of the olden time knew that thy name was Angiras;
7 The ancient plants surpass thee not, nor any herbs of recent days. A potent charm is Jangida, a most felicitous defence.
8 Then when thou sprangest into life, Jangida of un-measured strength, Indra, O mighty One, bestowed great power upon thee from the first. p. 240
9 To thee in truth, O Forest Tree, Indra the mighty One gave strength. Driving away all maladies, strike thou the demons down, O Plant.
10 Lumbago and rheumatic pain, consumptive cough, and pleurisy, And fever which each Autumn brings, may Jangida make- powerless.




HYMN XXXV
A similar charm addressed to the same
1 While their lips uttered Indra's name the Rishis gave us Jangida.. Which in the earliest time Gods made a remedy, Vishkandha's- cure.
2 So may this Jangida guard us, even as a treasurer guards wealth,. Even this which Gods and Brāhmans made a malice-quelling sure defence.
3 Hard-hearted men, the cruel eye, the sinner who hath come to- us, Destroy thou these with watchful care, O thou who hast a. thousand eyes. Thou, Jangida, art my defence.
4 Guard me from earth and guard me from the heavens, guard me from middle air, from plants protect me. Protect me from the present and the future. From every region Jangida preserve us!
5 All sorcerers made by the Gods, all that arise from mortal men,. These, one and all, let Jangida, healer of all, make impotent.



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