Agni Purāṇa
262 - The use of the hymns of Atharvaveda
Pushkara said:
1. The application of the hymns of Sāma (veda) has been described. Ishall describe to you (the application) of (the hymns of) Atharva (veda). One gets peace by offering oblations with the hymns of the peace class.
2. One will get rid of all the diseases by offering oblations to (the gods of) the remedial class. One will get free from all sins by offering oblations to (the gods of) the trisaptiya class.
3. One will never get fear by offering oblations to (the gods of) the protection class. O Rama! one will never be born by offering oblations to (the gods of) the aparājita (unconquered) class.
4. One will ward off untimely death by offering oblations to (the gods of) the life-giving class. One will get welfare everywhere by offering oblations to (the gods of) the welfare class.
5. One will get united with good fortune (by propitiating the gods of) happiness and armour group. One will remove the defects of a building by offering oblations to the class of deities presiding over the foundations of a house.
6. In the same way one will remove all the defects by offering oblations to (the gods of) the Raudra class. Oblations (are to be offered to) these ten classes in eighteen propitiatory (rites).
7-9. (The goddesses) Vaishņavi,shänti, Aindri, Brahmi, Raudri, Väyavyå, Väruņi, Kauberi, Bhargavi, Prājāpatyä, Tvåshtri, Kaumári, Vahnidevata, Mårudgaña, Gāndhari, Śhånti Nairrutaki,shånti Angirasi, Yāmyā and Pārthivi (are the eighteen propitiatory items) that yield all pleasures. The recitation (of the hymn) yastva mrutyuḥ1 conquers death.
1. AV. 3.11.8c.
10. One will never be afflicted by serpents by offering oblations with (the hymn) suparnastvā2! (The hymn) indreņa dattam3 confers all the pleasures.
2. AV.4.6.4a
3. Tait. Sam. 2.3.10.2b.
11. (The hymn) indreņa dattam4 is capable of destroying all obstacles. The hymn imā devi5 is an excellent all-appeasing (hymn).
4. 'See note 3 above.
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12. (The hymn) devā maruta6 confers all the pleasures. (The hymn) yamasya lokāt7 is excellent for removing (the effects of) bad dreams.
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7. AV. 19.56.1a.
13. (The hymn) indrascha pañchavaņijā1 is excellent for profit in trade. Oblations offered with (the hymn) kāmo me vaji2 increase the fortune of women.
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14. Oblation offered a lakh times with (the repetition of the hymn) tubhyameva jariman3 and with (the hymn) agne gobhirna4 will promote the intellect.
3. AV. 2.28.12.
4. Tait. Sam. 2.4.5.1a.
15. Offering oblation with (the hymn) dhruwam dhruvena5 will ensure the acquisition of land. The repetition of (the hymn) alaktakajiva6 will ensure prosperous agriculture.
5. AV. 6.87.3b; 7.94.1a.
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16. (The hymn) aham te bhagna7 increases fortune. (The hymn) ye me pāsāḥ8 secures release from bondage.
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17. Oblation offered with the repetition of (the hymn) sapatvahan9 destroys enemies. (The hymn) tvamuttamam10 is capable of increasing fame and intellect.
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18. (The hymn) yathā mrugamati11 increases the good fortune of women. (The hymn) yena chehadišham12 is advantageous for conception.
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19. (The hymn) ayam te yoniḥ13 is favourable for progeny. (The hymn) sivaḥ sivabhiḥ14 increases good fortune.
13. AV. 3.20.1a.
14. RV. 1.187.3b.
20. (The repetition of the hymn) bruhaspatirnaḥ paripátu15 secures safety on the journey. (The hymn) muñchami tva16 is said to ward off untimely death.
15. AV. 7.51.1a.
16. AV. 3.11.1a.
21. One who masters the atharvashiras1 becomes free from all sins. I have described to you some procedures relating to some important hymns.
22-24a. The first material for oblations is the twigs of trees suitable for such rites. O Bhargava! Clarified butter, rice, white mustard, unbroken rice, sesamum, curd, milk, darbha (grass), dūrvā (grass), bilva (leaves) and lotuses are always said to be the materials that promote peace and prosperity.
24b-25. O Knower of righteousness! Mustard oil, blood, poison, twigs of thorny (trees)should be used in magic incantations. One who knows the employmentshould repeat the sage, deity and metre (relating to the hymns).
Summary of chapter 263 of the Agni Purāṇa is as follows:
The science of governance (Rājanīti) is expounded, drawing from the tradition of arthaśāstra and nitīśāstra. Agni advises the king on the seven constituents of the state (saptāṅga): the king, the minister, the territory, the fort, the treasury, the army, and the ally. The proper conduct of the royal day — from pre-dawn rising through audiences, council meetings, military inspection, and judicial sessions — is outlined. The chapter emphasizes that a king who rules according to dharma is protected by Bhagavān himself.
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