Atharva-Veda Samhita/Book XVI/Paryaya 3

3. Paryāya the third.

[Brahman.—ṣaṭka. ādityadevatya. 1. āsurī gāyatrī; 2, 3. ārcy anuṣṭubh; 4. prājāpatyā triṣṭubh; 5. sāmny uṣṇih; 6. 2-p. sāmnī triṣṭubh.]

Translated: Griffith, ii. 202.

1. May I be the head (mūrdhán) of riches, the head of my equals.

Or, perhaps, 'I am the head of the one, may I be so of the other.' The verse (or the paryāya) is quoted twice in Kāuç., once (18. 25) in the citrā ceremony, together with a whole series of other hymns or verses, in partaking of a milk-rice-dish; and once (58. 22), in the ceremony of giving food to a young child (annaprāçana), with a part of the same hymns.

2. Let both breaking (? rujá) and longing (vená) not desert me; let both the head (mūrdhán) and the distributer (? vídharman) not desert me.

The nouns in this and the following verses are in part of obscure meaning and reference.

3. Let both the kettle (?) and the cup (camasá) not desert me; let both the maintainer (dhartṛ́) and the supporter (dharúṇa) not desert me.

The translation follows the suggestion of the Pet. Lexx., to emend urvá at the beginning to ukhá.

4. Let both the releaser (vimoká) and the wet-rimmed one not desert me; let both him of wet drops (-dā́nu) and Mātariçvan not desert me.

5. Brihaspati my soul, manly-minded by name, hearty (hṛ́dya).

6. Free from torment my heart, a wide pasture, an ocean am I by extent (vídharman).