Atharva Veda: Book 1 – Hymn 24

Atharva Veda: Book 1 – Hymn 24

HYMN XXIV
A charm against leprosy

1 First, before all, the strong-winged Bird was born;; thou wast
the gall thereof.
Conquered in fight, the Asuri took then the shape and form of
plants.

2 The Asuri made, first of all, this medicine for leprosy, this
banisher of leprosy.
She banished leprosy, and gave one general colour to the skin.

3 One-coloured, is thy mother’s name, One-coloured is thy father
called:
One-colour-maker, Plant! art thou: give thou one colour to this
man.

4 Sāmā who gives one general hue was formed and fashioned from
the earth:
Further this work efficiently. Restore the colours that were his.