Atharvaveda Kanda 14 Anuvaka 1 in Modern Hindi

Various Rishis

Kanda 142 Suktas139 Mantras

Anuvaka 1

Vivāha-saṃskāra: sacralizing marriage and the bride’s lawful transition into the husband’s household under satya and ṛta

Kinds of charm

Paushtika (prosperity): 2Shantika (pacifying): 2

Suktas in Anuvaka 1

Sukta 1

AVŚ 14.1 is the principal Atharvavedic vivāha (marriage) hymn-sequence that sacralizes the bride’s transition by placing the household rite under cosmic law: satya (truth) and ṛta (right order). It converts the liminal tensions of departure, binding, and social transfer into stability, legitimacy, and prosperity, repeatedly invoking divine “witnesses” (Ādityas, Sūrya, Soma) to make the union firm and auspicious.

Rishi: Traditionally assigned within the AV marriage corpus | Devata: Satya, Sūrya, Ṛta, Ādityas, Soma (cosmic supports and witnesses) | 64 Mantras

Sukta 2

AV 14.2 is the Atharvavedic marriage-liturgy that ritually transfers the bride from divine/liminal guardianship into lawful human wedlock, installing her safely in the husband’s house. It secures social legitimacy, protection from illicit or demonic claims, and the classic domestic goods of gṛhya life—harmony, cattle-prosperity, and fertile, heroic offspring. Its power works by sequencing spouses/guardians (Soma–Gandharva–Agni–man), binding the bride to the Gārhapatya fire, and blessing the couple’s reproductive and household order.

Rishi: Traditionally associated with marriage-hymn seers (Atharvanic transmission; specific r̥ṣi attribution varies by anukramaṇī) | Devata: Soma, Gandharva, Agni, and the human husband as ritual agents | 75 Mantras

Deities of Anuvaka 1

PrajapatiPrajāpati
Creator/ordainer
In 2 hymns
Savitar
Consecrator/impeller
In 2 hymns
Agni
Witness/mediator
In 2 hymns
SuryaSūrya
Protector/witness
In 2 hymns
Soma
Blesser/vitalizer
In 2 hymns
AshvinsAśvins
Healer-protectors
In 2 hymns
Indra
Protector/strengthener
In 1 hymn
VarunaVaruṇa
Guardian of ṛta
In 1 hymn
Mitra
Guardian of concord
In 1 hymn
Aryaman
Marriage-guardian
In 2 hymns
Bhaga
Bestower of fortune
In 1 hymn
VishvedevasViśve Devāḥ
Collective protectors
In 2 hymns

Inside Anuvaka 1

The theme

Vivāha-saṃskāra: sacralizing marriage and the bride’s lawful transition into the husband’s household under satya and ṛta

Threads through it

Bride’s liminal passage and protection during transfer
Establishing gṛhastha-dharma, household stability, and mutual concord
Auspiciousness (śrī), prosperity, and fertility/blessed offspring
Removal of obstacles, evil influences, and inauspicious speech/omens
Social legitimacy: kin, community witness, and lawful wedlock

Who it serves

Marriage rites and blessings: safeguarding the bride’s transition, ensuring harmony between spouses, prosperity, and protection from misfortune in the new home

What it heals

Marital discord, quarrels, and lack of concord between spouses/kinSukta 14.1, 14.2
Fear, vulnerability, and inauspicious influences during the bride’s transition (liminal danger)Sukta 14.1, 14.2
Infertility or anxiety about offspring and household continuitySukta 14.1, 14.2
Misfortune/poverty in the new household; need for śrī and prosperitySukta 14.1, 14.2

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main purpose of Kanda 14 Anuvaka 1 in the Atharvaveda?

It presents the core vivāha liturgy (AV 14.1–14.2), ritually transferring the bride into lawful wedlock and establishing the household under satya and ṛta with blessings of concord and prosperity.

Which deities are most closely linked with marriage in this anuvaka?

Prajāpati as ordainer, Savitar as consecrator, Agni as ritual witness, and Aryaman as a key guardian of marriage; allied deities (Mitra-Varuṇa, Bhaga, Sūrya, Aśvins) support concord, order, fortune, and protection.

Does this anuvaka include healing in the medical sense?

Not primarily; its ‘healing’ is social and ritual—mantras for removing inauspiciousness, protecting the bride, restoring harmony, and securing prosperity and offspring within the new household.

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