Sukta 136
Rishi: Atharvanic (unspecified in input)
Devata: Oṣadhi (the Herb) and Pṛthivī (Earth-goddess)
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (probable)
Mantras
Mantra 1
केशदृंहणम्। देवी देव्यामधि जाता पृथिव्यामस्योषधे । तां त्वा नितत्नि केशेभ्यो दृंहणाय खनामसि
Goddess, born upon the Goddess, in Earth—O Herb, thou art: thee, O far-spreading one, we dig up for the strengthening of the hair.
Mantra 2
दृंह प्रत्नान् जनयाजातान् जातानु वर्षीयसस्कृधि
Make firm the old; beget the yet-unborn; and those already born make, in due course, more lasting and more abundant.
Mantra 3
यस्ते केशोऽवपद्यते समूलो यश्च वृश्चते । इदं तं विश्वभेषज्याभि षिञ्चामि वीरुधा
What hair of thine falls away, torn out with the root, and what is shorn off—this very mischief I besprinkle with the all-healing remedy, with the potent plant.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a short Atharvavedic healing charm used to strengthen hair at the roots, reduce hair-fall, and encourage new, lasting growth through an empowered herb application.
The main power is Oṣadhi (the medicinal herb) grounded in Pṛthivī (Earth-goddess). The hymn also names the plant’s curative force as viśvabheṣajya, the “all-healing remedy.”
The hymn describes digging up the plant for hair-strengthening, then applying it to the scalp/hair roots and finally sprinkling or wetting the affected area with the plant remedy while reciting the verses.