Skip to main content

Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda



In this post I will talk about some interesting facts about Atharva Veda (Sanskrit: अथर्ववेद, Bengali: অথর্ববেদ ). The Atharva Veda is a sacred Hindu text often called the "fourth Veda" in the usual order of enumeration after Rig Veda, Yajur Veda and Sama Veda.

However many parts of Atharva Veda are as old as Rig Veda.

#1 Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda
Atharva Veda is one of the oldest Indo-European texts. The bulk of the text dates from 1500 BC to 1000 BC.

It predates Bible by 1500 years and Koran by 2000 years!

#2 Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda 
Atharva Veda is the first Indian text which talks about medicine. It prescribes various plant based medicines accompanied by mantras to heal the body.

Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda Medicine

#3 Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda 
Atharva Veda is one of the oldest texts to talks about antibiotics.

Hymn 1.23 and 24 talks about leprosy and prescribes a medicine called rajani, a lichen with antibiotic properties.

#4 Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda 
Atharva Veda is one of the earliest Indian texts to describe warfare techniques. It talks about poisoned arrows, poisoned nets, disease spreading insects and smoke screens.

#5 Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda 
Atharva Veda is one of the oldest texts to talk about building and constructions, trade and commerce and statecraft.

The Rajakarma Suktas talk about the political system during those days. National and social problems were handled by a parliament or samiti.

While Europe and Arab countries were still hunter gatherer barbarians, Indians had already developed a superior culture.

#6 Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda 
Indra is the most popular deity in Atharva Veda followed by Agni and Soma, similar to Rig Veda. This proves the contemporaneity of Aharva Veda with Rig Veda.

#7 Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda

Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda Bull Seal Harappa

Atharva Veda refers to the bull quite bull frequently.

Bull is found commonly in most Indus Valley and Harappan seals and relics, and its numerous references in Atharva Veda along with same geographic areas indicates Indus Valley Civilization and Atharva Veda Hindu civilization are the same.

References:
Wikipedia on Atharva Veda
Hindupedia on Atharva Veda
Atharva Veda word Frequency

--- END ---

I hope you enjoyed 5 interesting facts about Atharva Veda. Please leave your comments/ suggestions below or send me an email.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Adya Stotram in Bengali Font

A lot of people have requested me for online Adya Stotram in Bengali font . That is why I am presenting the same here. The Adya Stotram / আদ্যা স্তোত্র / आद्या स्तोत्रम्  is a hymn in praise of Adya Ma.  It is very popular in West Bengal, among Hindu Bengalis in Islamic Bangladesh and worldwide. There are a number if positive side effects of daily reciting Adya stotram Daily recitation of Adya Stotram protects from sickness, danger during travel especially by water,  during wars and during troubled times One will receive the same amount of blessing as undertaking holy pilgrimage if one recites Adya Stotram daily Below I am presenting Adya Stotram in Bengali font for the benefit of my Bengali friends.   To know more about Adya Stotram you may read the following. Introduction to Adya Stotram English translation of Adya Stotram 01 02 03 04 05 Introduction and explanation of Adya Stotram with Sanskrit, Bengali and English text You can listen to a recording of Ad

Adya Stotram

The Adya Stotram / আদ্যা স্তোত্র / आद्या स्तोत्रम् , which is very popular in West Bengal, is a hymn in tribute to Adya Ma.  It has 20 shlokas in Sanskrit written in very simple language and talks about the greatness of Adya Ma and the benefits of understanding and reciting the stotram. The benefits of daily recitation of the Stotram are: Protection from death, sickness and fear Conceiving, for those women who are childless Protection from any danger during travel especially by water Protection during wars Protection during troubled times Receiving the same amount of blessing as going on holy pilgrimage Adya Ma is regarded as the physical form (manifestation) of Adya Shakti. Adya Shakti is the primary supreme force of Nature and is regarded as the force essential to the existence of the other forces on Nature. She is worshiped in the form of Goddess Kali. She has a famous temple dedicated to her in Dakshineshwar , West Bengal. The Adya Stotram (hymn) is

Jagaddhatri Stotram and Jagadhatri Puja

  Jagaddhatri also spelled as Jagadhatri (Devnagri: जगद्धात्री, Bengali: জগদ্ধাত্রী) literally means She Who Holds the World or the Protector of the World . She is a form of Devi Durga. She is highly revered in West Bengal, especially in Chandernagore (my ancestral home) which has the biggest celebration of Jagaddhatri Puja in India. People come from all parts of India to Chandannagar to enjoy the amazing light works and show. Other places where the Puja is celebrated with gusto are Bhadreshwar, Hooghly, Rishra and Krishnanagar. Jagadhatri Puja is celebrated on the ninth day of the waxing phase of moon in Kartick month in West Bengal. Outside West Bengal, the Puja is also celebrated as Jagadamaba Puja or Dhatri Puja. Jagaddhatri Puja in Chandannagar The origins of Jagaddhatri Puja in Chandannagar date back to as early as 1750. It is believed that Indranarayan Choudhury, a local zamindar in Chandannagar started performing Jagadhatri Puja at his home. He was closely asso