Atharva Veda Sukta 38
Kanda 19Anuvaka 4Sukta 383 Mantras

Sukta 38

Rishi: Atharvanic healer tradition (specific r̥ṣi uncertain without Anukramaṇī).

Devata: Bheṣaja (medicine) embodied in guggulu; anti-yákṣma power.

Chandas: Predominantly anuṣṭubh-like (late Atharvanic prose-verse mixture at opening).

Этот краткий целительный гимн использует гуггулу (ароматическую лекарственную смолу) как атхарваническое bheṣaja, чтобы изгнать якшму (истощение/чахотку) и обезвредить враждебные śapatha (проклятия). Соединяя гуггулу с очищающими солями и «схватывая имя» лекарства, сукта утверждает, что болезнь и злонамеренные влияния не могут закрепиться на больном. Сила гимна действует через аромат, смешение и nāman (силу имени) как ритуальную печать ariṣṭatāti — невредимой безопасности.

Recitation with translationAtharva Veda 19.38

Mantras

Frequently Asked Questions

Yákṣma is a wasting, consumptive affliction—often understood as chronic weakening illness—treated here as something that can ‘seize’ a person unless driven off by medicine and mantra.

Guggulu is presented as bheṣaja embodied: its fragrant gandha pervades the patient and space, functioning apotropically to prevent yákṣma and even curse-effects from taking hold.

It refers to a ritual sealing act: the healer verbally fixes the remedy by naming the paired components/variants (such as the two salts, or medicine plus additive), ensuring ariṣṭatāti—unharmed safety—for the patient.

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