Atharva Veda

The Hymns of the Atharvaveda

Translation by Ralph T.H. Griffith

BOOK I

HYMN XI

A charm to be used at child-birth

1          Vashat to thee. O Pūshan At this birth let Aryaman the Sage
            perform as Hotar-priest,
            As one who bears in season let this dame be ready to bring forth
            her child.

2          Four are the regions of the sky, and four the regions of the earth:
            The Gods have brought the babe; let them prepare the woman
            for the birth.

3          Puerpera (infatem) detegat: nos uterum aperimus. Lexa teipsam,
            puerpera. Tu, parturiens! emitte eum non carni, non adipi,
            non medullae adhāerntem.

4          Descendat viscosa placenta, cani, comedenda placenta; decidat
             placenta.

5          Diffindo tuum urinae ductum, diffindo vaginam, diffindo inguina.
            Matrem natumque divido, puerum a placenta divido: decidat
            placenta.

6          Sicut ventus, sicut mens, sicut alites volant, sic, decem mensium
            puer, cum placenta descende: descendat placenta.

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