5. Branches of Atharvavedasaṃhitā 

Patañjali in Mahābhāṣyam (Paspaśā) says that Atharvaveda has got nine branches (Śākhas). Atharvapariśiṣṭacaraṇavyūha enumerates nine branches of Atharvaveda –

1. Paippalāda
2. Tauda
• Mauda
1. Śaunakīya
2. Jājala
3. Jalada
• Brahmavada
• Devadarśi
1. Caraṇavidya

Presently only Paippalāda and Śaunakīya branches are available. Śaunakaśākha is in order and is considered as authentic.

There are twenty Kāṇḍas, seven hundred and thirty six Sūktas and five thousand nine hundred and eighteen Mantras in this Saṃhitā. Twelve hundred Mantras of the total are borrowed as it is from Ṛgveda. Most of them are borrowed from tenth, eighth and first Maṇḍalas and a few from other Maṇḍalas.

In the twentieth Kāṇḍa there are one hundred and forty three Ṛgvedasūktas. Twelve of such Sūktas follow the same sequence as that in Ṛgveda and the rest are haphazard.

6. Prātiśākhya etc.

“Cāturadhyāyikā” is the Prātiśākhya of Atharvaveda. “Bṛhadanukramaṇikā” (Sarvānukramaṇikā) and “Pañcapaṭalikā” – are the Atharvavedānukramaṇikas. Scholars believe that there are twenty nine Upaniṣats, including Muṇḍaka, Praśna and Māṇḍūkya, which are popular.

7. Subject Matter

Unlike other Vedas Brahmaveda gives much importance to mundane matters such as cultivation, health, married life, checking natural calamities, polity, exorcism, business etc.

A married woman should live in her in-laws house with her husband and not at her parents’ house (भगमस्या वर्च, १.१४.१; bhagamasyā varca, 1.14.1)

After marriage a woman would still have relation with her parents, brothers etc. (एषा ते कन्या वधूः, १.१४.२; eṣā te kanyā vadhūḥ, 1.14.2).

Water, air and herbs are very important to maintain sound health (आपो वाता ओषधयः, १८.१.१७; āpo vātā oṣadhayaḥ, 18.1.17).

In the Mantra, ” वि ते भिनद्मि मेहनम् १.११.५ ” (vi te bhinadmi mehanam, 1.11.5), it is said that in the case of complications at the time of delivery one should go for caesarean operation and save the mother and child.

“अनु सूर्यमुदयताम् १.२२.१” (anu sūryamudayatām 1.22.1) is a Mantra that suggests that Sūryasnānam (Sunbath) acts against heart diseases, hepatitis etc.

एतद्वा उ स्वादीयो यदधिगवं क्षीरं वा मांसं वा तदेव नाश्नीयात् (९.६.३९)

etadvā u svādīyo yadadhigavaṃ kṣīraṃ vā māṃsaṃ vā tadeva nāśnīyāt

(9.6.39)

The above Mantra preaches one not to consume beef.

सभा च मा समितिश्चावताम् (७.१२.१) (sabhā ca mā samitiścāvatāmam (7.12.1)) advocates the concept of parliamentary democracy and sends a message that scholars, heroes etc. should extend a helping hand to the king in order to promote a prosperous state.

Apart from suggestions, rites and medicine for achieving the goals Brahmaveda also lists Mantras for recitation for different purposes –

According to Muṇḍakopaniṣat (1.1.4, 5) of Atharvaveda, the earlier parts of Vedas, or Karmakāṇḍa, along with Vedāṅgas is called Aparāvidyā, and the Upaniṣats are called Parāvidyā. The Karmakāṇḍa which deals with a number of rituals, is useful in attaining Cittaśuddhi (cleansing of mind) through which one would achieve Jñānam with the help of Upaniṣats.

8. Mantradraṣṭāraḥ of Atharvaveda

1. Atharvā: He is the first among the Ṛṣis of Atharvavedamantras. One hundred and forty eight Sūktas are assigned to him. Also called Atharvaṇa. He emerged out of Brahma’s face.
2. Bhṛgu: Son of Brahmā, Bhṛgu has got thirty Sūktas by his name.
• Vasiṣṭha: This sage had perceived fourteen Sūktas.
1. Viśvāmitra: Draṣṭā of thirteen Sūktas of Brahmaveda is Viśvāmitra.
2. Aṅgirāḥ: He is also born out of Brahman’s face and eight Sūktas are perceived by him.

There are other sages such as Śaunaka, Śukra, Śunaḥśepha, Gotama etc.

9. Devatas in Atharvaveda
The chief deities we come across in Trayī, i.e. Ṛgveda, Yajurveda, Sāmaveda, are seen in Atharvaveda. The only difference is that the deities in Trayī are confined to mostly spiritual (Ādhyātmika) matters, whereas here in Brahmaveda they play a role in terms of mundane matters also.
1. Indra: He is praised in one hundred and fifty six Sūktas. Indra gives wealth, rain, health, victory over enemies etc. (1.2.3). He helps in Ābhicārikakarmas (exorcism) and protects from the same also (3.4.4, 3.2.1 & 4.4.4)
2. Agni: In the complete Vedic literature Agni is considered as Pradhānadevatā (chief deity). He has fifty six Sūktas across Brahmaveda. Agni follows the words of Bṛhaspati and protects the Havis (oblation) – Yātudhānamanāśanam (1.2.7.1,2)
• Sūrya-Āditya-Mitra: Mitra in Ṛgveda is Sūrya, Pūṣā and Āditya in Brahmaveda. Puṣā helps in easy delivery (1.2.11.5). Sūrya is worshipped for Śatrunāśanam (destroying the enemy) –

सूर्य यत् ते तपस्तेन तं प्रति तप योऽस्मान् द्वेष्टि यं च वयं द्विष्मः (2.4.21.1)
sūrya yat te tapastena taṃ prati tapa yo’smān dveṣṭi yaṃ ca vayaṃ dviṣmaḥ
(2.4.21.1)

1. Soma-Candra: Soma is the chief deity in Agniṣomī In Atharvaveda, Soma is described as a special deity. Soma is prayed to create trouble to a Kulapā (a lady who gets bad name for the clan) –

एषा ते कुलपा राजन् तामु ते परि दद्मसि। ज्योक् पितृष्वासाता आ शीर्णः समोप्यात् ॥ १.३.१४.३॥
eṣā te kulapā rājan tāmu te pari dadmasi।
jyok pitṛṣvāsātā āśīrṇaḥ samopyāt ॥ 1.3.14.3 ॥

1. Udakam (Water): These deities (waters) are praised in nineteen Sūktas in Brahmaveda. Just like Vāyu (air) Udakam also has got the capacity to destroy enemies –

रुद्र जलाषभेषज नीलशिखण्ड कर्मकृत्। प्राशं प्रताप्राशो जह्यरसान् कृणवोषधे ॥ २.५.२७.६॥
rudra jalāṣabheṣaja nīlaśikhaṇḍa karmakṛt ।
prāśaṃ pratāprāśo jahyarasān kṛṇavoṣadhe ॥ 2.5.27.6 ॥

1. Vācaspati-Bṛhasati: In the beginning of Brahmaveda Vācaspati is worshipped. Vācaspati! you sustain the universe in three and seven forms. Provide us such strength. Let all my knowledge be within me with the divine mind, i.e. let me not forget the knowledge I gained (Medhājananam) –

ये त्रिषप्ताः परियन्ति विश्वा रूपाणि बिभ्रतः। वाचस्पतिर्बला तेषां तन्वो अद्य दधातु मे ॥
पुनरेहि वचस्पते देवेन मनसा सह । वसोष्पते नि रमय मय्येवास्तु मयि श्रुतम् ॥१.१.१.१,२॥
ye triṣaptāḥ pariyanti viśvā rūpāṇi bibhrataḥ।
vācaspatirbalā teṣāṃ tanvo adya dadhātu me ॥
punarehi vacaspate devena manasā saha।
vasoṣpate ni ramaya mayyevāstu mayi śrutam ॥1.1.1.1,2॥

Bṛhaspati will partake in Abhicāra (exorcism) also. Rudra, Varuṇa, Parjanya, Dyāvāpṛthivī etc. are other deities worshipped in Brahmaveda.
1. Pṛthvīsūktam / Bhūmisūktam (12.1)
To give an idea of the text of Atharvaveda, some Mantras from a popular Sūkta, Bhūmisūktam (the first Sūkta of the twelfth Kāṇḍa containing sixty three Mantras), are translated here.

सत्यं बृहदृतमुग्रं दीक्षा तपो ब्रह्म यज्ञः पृथिवीं धारयन्ति ।
सा नो भूतस्य भव्यस्य पत्न्युरुं लोकं पृथिवी नः कृणोतु ॥१॥
satyaṃ bṛhadṛtamugraṃ dīkṣā tapo brahma yajñaḥ pṛthivīṃ dhārayanti ।
sā no bhūtasya bhavyasya patnyuruṃ lokaṃ pṛthivī naḥ kṛṇotu ॥ 1 ॥

The earth is upheld from destruction by the following factors – truth of highest degree and unchanging purity, Tapas (ascetic life), the capacity attained through leading a perfect lifestyle and Yajña. May Goddess earth, who is manager of past and future, provide us with vast space (1).

असंबाधं बध्यतो मानवानां यस्या उद्वतः प्रवतः समं बहु ।
नानावीर्या ओषधीर्या बिभर्ति पृथिवी नः प्रथतां राध्यतां नः ॥२॥
asaṃbādhaṃ badhyato mānavānāṃ yasyā udvataḥ pravataḥ samaṃ bahu ।
nānāvīryā oṣadhīryā bibharti pṛthivī naḥ prathatāṃ rādhyatāṃ naḥ ॥ 2 ॥

Let there not be hostility among human beings. The earth, which has got ups, hills and plains, which holds herbs with different powers, may provide us with vast space. Let us have prosperity (2).

यस्यामापः परिचराः समानीरहोरात्रे अप्रमादं क्षरन्ति।
सा नो भूमिर्भूमिधारा पयो दुहामथो उक्षतु वर्चसा ॥९॥
yasyāmāpaḥ paricarāḥ samānīrahorātre apramādaṃ kṣaranti ।
sā no bhūmirbhūmidhārā payo duhāmatho ukṣatu varcasā ॥ 9 ॥

The earth, upon which the rivers that flow round and round, day and night, continuously and which earth having many divisions may grant us wealth, also may rain brilliance upon us (9).

यत् ते मध्यं पृथिवि यच्च नभ्यं यास्त ऊर्जस्तन्वः संबभूवुः।
तासु नो धेह्यभि नः पवस्व माता भूमिः पुत्रो अहं पृथिव्याः॥ पर्जन्यः पिता स उ नः पिपर्तु ॥१२॥
yat te madhyaṃ pṛthivi yacca nabhyaṃ yāsta ūrjastanvaḥ saṃbabhūvuḥ ।
tāsu no dhehyabhi naḥ pavasva mātā bhūmiḥ putro ahaṃ pṛthivyāḥ ॥
parjanyaḥ pitā sa u naḥ pipartu ॥ 12 ॥

O! Earth! give us whatever is there within you, that is there in your navel, the food that emerges from your body. Purify us, the human beings, I am the son of earth. Indra is my father. He also may make us prosperous (12).

उदीराणा उतासीनास्तिष्ठन्तः प्रक्रामन्तः। पद्भ्यां दक्षिणसव्याभ्यां मा व्यथिष्महि भूम्याम् ॥२८॥
udīrāṇā utāsīnāstiṣṭhantaḥ prakrāmantaḥ ।
padbhyāṃ dakṣiṇasavyābhyāṃ mā vyathiṣmahi bhūmyām ॥ 28 ॥

While getting up, sitting, standing and walking let us not cause pain to earth (28).

यत् ते भूमे विखनामि क्षिप्रं तदपि रोहतु । मा ते मर्म विमृग्वरि मा ते हृदयमार्पिषम् ॥३५॥
yat te bhūme vikhanāmi kṣipraṃ tadapi rohatu ।
mā te marma vimṛgvari mā te hṛdayamārpiṣam ॥ 35 ॥

O! Earth! if something is sowed by digging you let it grow quickly. O! purifier! let us not hurt your private parts and heart (35).

ये ग्रामा यदरण्यं याः सभा अधि भूम्याम् । ये संग्रामाः समितयस्तेषु चारु वदेम ते ॥५६॥
ye grāmā yadaraṇyaṃ yāḥ sabhā adhi bhūmyām ।
ye saṃgrāmāḥ samitayasteṣu cāru vadema te ॥ 56 ॥

Whichever villages, forests, meetings, wars and gatherings of people are there on earth, in all those places we use the words that please you (56).

भूमे मातर्नि धेहि मा भद्रया सुप्रतिष्ठितम्। संविदाना दिवा कवे श्रियां मा धेहि भूत्याम् ॥६३॥
bhūme mātarni dhehi mā bhadrayā supratiṣṭhitam ।
saṃvidānā divā kave śriyāṃ mā dhehi bhūtyām ॥ 63 ॥

O! Mother Earth! keep me placed auspicious. O! Sage! make me live happily in heaven and rain wealth on me (63).
1. Gospel of Atharvaveda
For the safety and peaceful living of people Brahmaveda offers the following Mantra:

समानि व आकूतिः समाना हृदयानि वः। समानमस्तु वो मनो यथा वः सुसहासति॥६.६४.३॥
samāni va ākūtiḥ samānā hṛdayāni vaḥ।
samānamastu vo mano yathā vaḥ susahāsati ॥6.64.3॥

O! good-honest-loving people! have the same thinking, equally partake in the activities, let your minds comprehend the same meaning.
2. Upavedas
Arthaveda, that deals with Polity, Agriculture, Commerce, Society etc., is the Upaveda of Atharvaveda. The Arthaśāstra of Bṛhaspati, Śukranītii of Śukrācārya and Arthaśāstra of Kauṭilya have emerged from Brahmaveda only.
Some scholars hold that Śilpaveda (Architecture) is an Upaveda of Atharvaveda. Gopathabrāhmaṇam says that Brahman created five Upavedas as supplementary to Atharvaveda – Sarpaveda (Veda of snakes), Piśācaveda (Veda of ghosts), Asuraveda (Veda of demons), Itihāsaveda (Veda of epics) and Purāṇaveda (Veda of Purāṇas) –
पञ्च वेदान् निरमिमीत सर्पवेदम् पिशाचवेदम् असुरवेदम् इतिहासवेदम् पुराणवेदम् ।
(गोपथब्राह्मणम्, १.१॰)
pañca vedān niramimīta sarpavedam piśācavedam asuravedam itihāsavedam purāṇavedam (gopathabrāhmaṇam, 1.10)

* * * * *
Note: The verses quoted as occurring in Skandapurāṇa-kamalālayakhaṇḍaḥ, Viṣṇupurāṇam, Nītiśatakam, Matsyapurāṇam and Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇam are quoted on the basis of Atharvabhāṣyabhūmikā of Sāyaṇācārya.

Bibliography
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9. Gopathabrāhmaṇam, Ed. Rajendra Lala Mitra and Harachandra Vidyabhushana, Asiatic Society of Bengal, Calcutta, 1872.
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