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Ved, Atharv

The last of the four Ved, the Atharv Ved ("Wisdom of the Atharvan Priests", the Book of the Spell) is completely different from the other three Ved and is next in importance to Rig Ved with regard to history and sociology. Atharv means the stationary. The Atharv is Prajaapati, the god who has given the fire to the mankind. The Atharv Ved takes its name from one of the Braahman families traditionally believed to have composed the Ved.

Like the Rig Ved, it is a collection of entire hymns. The hymns of The Atharv Ved, however, are of a more diverse character than the Rig Ved and are also simpler in language.

Atharv Ved is the  Kriyaa (action) part of the Ved. Mostly meant for the worldly knowledge, it is an essential part of education for those who aspire to be the preceptors, also called Aangiras, Atharv Aangiras, Bhrigu Aangiras, Kshatra ( one who acts) or Bhaishajya . The verses of Atharv Ved are called Siddha Mantra.

They include almost exclusively of a wide variety of hymns, magical incantations, and magical spells. It contains spells for everything from success in love to the realization of other worldly ambitions prevalent at its time. Largely for personal, domestic use, it was not originally accepted as authoritative because of the deviant nature of its contents. Scholars believe that it dates from a later time .Eventually it was acknowledged as one of the four Ved, especially after its adoption as a ritual handbook by the Braahman.

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