Atharva Veda: Book 1 – Hymn 17

HYMN XVII
A charm to be used at venesection

1 Those maidens there, the veins, who run their course in robes of
ruddy hue,
Must now stand quiet, reft of power, like sisters who are brother-
less.

2 Stay still, thou upper vein, stay still, thou lower, stay, thou
midmost one,
The smallest one of all stands still: let the great vessel e’en be
still.

3 Among a thousand vessels charged with blood, among a thousand
veins,
Even these the middlemost stand still and their extremities have
rest.

4 A mighty rampart built of sand hath circled and encompassed
you:
Be still, and quietly take rest.