Anuvaka 4

Sukta 31

Atharvaveda 5.31 is a focused pratyavāya (reversal) hymn that tracks hostile kṛtyā—manufactured witchcraft—embedded in everyday and public instruments (food, vessels, dice, weapons, drum, army) and ritually “takes it up” to return it upon its makers. Its repeated formula of seizure-and-return frames kṛtyā as a transferable, locatable force, and the Atharvanic word-power as the mechanism that detects, neutralizes, and redirects it. The sukta’s power lies in comprehensive coverage of social, martial, and domestic arenas where covert harm is believed to be planted.

Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (often anonymous/Angiras-type attribution in this kṛtyā cycle; varies by anukramaṇī) | Devata: Kṛtyā (as hostile entity) and the counteracting Atharvanic power of reversal | 12 Mantras