Atharva Veda
The fourth Vedic Sa.hita, the Atharva Veda, was accepted into the orthodox Aryan canon several
centuries later. There is no mention of it in certain early authoritative textual sources, such
as the Laws of Manu, or the Buddhist Jatakas, which refer to the triad of the .g, Sama, and
Yajur Vedas.
The Atharva Veda is markedly different from this triad. Although about a sixth of
its hymns are common to the .g Veda Sa.hita, the Atharva Veda contains hundreds of original
hymns dealing with different themes, which are often categorized as benevolent or malevolent.
Within the beneficial class are spells and chants for the cure of illnesses, for the acquisition
and retention of fertility and virility, and even for success in securing a lover. Within the
malevolent category are incantations and formulae to bring harm to others.
The Atharva Veda samhita reveals ancient techniques of medicinal practice, warfare, and ritual, as well as astrological knowledge and philosophical speculation.
Indeed, many of its prayers and accompanying rites may derive from non-Aryan and pre-Aryan
sources, and it appears that the astrological and medicinal concerns of the Atharva Veda priestly
lineages were initially not regarded favorably by the Aryan priesthood.
Thus the Atharva Veda may have been initially resisted, and only included as the fourth canonical Sa.hita later in time. However, many of its hymns suggest an origin as early, if not earlier, than the other three hymn collections.
Contemporary scholarly studies are beginning to note compelling continuities between the religious concerns voiced in the Atharva Veda and the beliefs and practices of Tantra, whose literature emerges more than a thousand years later.