Atharvaveda

The fourth Veda, a collection of spells, charms and healing lore alongside hymns of philosophical speculation.

Core Characteristics

• About 730 hymns, compiled later than the other three Vedas, around the early first millennium BC.
• Preserves the everyday religion of the people: healing, love charms, protection from snakes and demons.
• Its twentieth book lifted hymns addressed to kingship and the great gods into the ritual canon.

Related Concepts & Sources

Vedas, Indian, Magic