Atharva Veda

The Hymns of the Atharvaveda

Translation by Ralph T.H. Griffith

BOOK I

HYMN XXIV

A charm against leprosy

1          First, before all, the strong-winged Bird was born; thou wast
             the gall thereof.
            Conquered in fight, the Asuri took then the shape and form of
             plants.

2          The Asuri made, first of all, this medicine for leprosy, this
            banisher of leprosy.
            She banished leprosy, and gave one general colour to the skin.
3          One-coloured, is thy mother's name, One-coloured is thy father called:
            One-colour-maker, Plant! art thou: give thou one colour to this man.

4          Sāmā who gives one general hue was formed and fashioned from
            the earth:
            Further this work efficiently. Restore the colours that were his.

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