z:\ ambedkar\vol 04\vol4 02.indd MK SJ YS 24 9 2013/YS 8 11 2013 50
50 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
B. Prayer to secure the return of calves that have strayed to a distance.
vii, 50. Prayer for success at dice.
vi, 56. Exorcism of serpents from the premises.
x, 4. Charm against serpents invoking the horse of Pedu that slays serpents.
xi, 2. Prayer to Bhava and Sarva for protection from dangers.
iv, 28. Prayer to Bhava and Sarva for protection from dangers.
vii, 9. Charm for finding lost property.
vi, 128. Propitiation of the weather-prophet.
xi, 6. Prayer for deliverance from calamity, addressed to the entire pantheon.
VIII. Charms in expiation of sin and defilement.
vi, 45. Prayer against mental delinquency.
vi, 26. Charm to avert evil.
vi, 114. Expiatory formula for imperfections in the sacrifice.
vi, 115. Expiatory formulas for sins.
vi, 112. Expiation for the precedence of a younger brother over an elder.
vi, 113. Expiation for certain heinous crimes.
vi, 120. Prayer for heaven after remission of sins.
vi, 27. Charm against pigeons regarded as ominous birds.
vi, 29. Charm against pigeons regarded as ominous birds.
vi, 29. Charm against ominous pigeons and owls.
vii, 64. Expiation when one is defiled by a black bird of omen.
vi, 46. Exorcism of evil dreams.
vii, 115. Charm for the removal of evil characteristics, and the acquisition of auspicious.
III
It will thus be seen that the Atharva-Veda is nothing but a collection of sorcery, black-magic and medicine. Three-fourths of it is full of sorcery and black magic. It must not however be assumed that it is only the Atharva-Veda which contains black-magic and sorcery. The Rig-Veda is not altogether free from it. There are in it Mantras relating to black magic and sorcery. I give below three Suktas which deal with this matter:
SUKTA XVII (CXLV)
The deity or rather the aim of the hymn is the getting rid of a rival wife; the Rishi is Indrani, the metre of the last verse is Pankati, of the rest Anushtubh.