Sutra 37

Devanagari script

अथर्ववेदविदो वाभिचरेयुः ॥ कZ_०४.३.३७ ॥

Transliteration

atharvavedavido vābhicareyuḥ

Translation

Or, experts in the Atharvaveda should perform protective counter-rites (abhicāra).

Word by Word

• अथर्ववेदविदः: knowers of the Atharvaveda (Atharvavedic experts)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा बहुवचन; (अथर्ववेदस्य विदः = अथर्ववेदविद्)

• वा: or
• Type: Particle
• Root: वा
• Form: विकल्पार्थक निपात (either/or)

• अभिचरेयुः: should perform hostile rites / should practice sorcery (abhicāra)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-चर्
• Form: लिङ् (विधिलिङ्); परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष; बहुवचन; धातु: चर्; उपसर्ग: अभि-

Entities Mentioned

• Atharvaveda experts

More Details

FAQs

Why would Kautilya prescribe Atharvavedic experts in a governance text?

As an administrative tool: to mobilize culturally authoritative specialists for protection, reassurance, and coordinated response when people perceive supernatural or unseen threats.