Hymns of the Atharva-Veda/Book 1/Hymn 16

A prayer and charm against demons

1. May potent Agni who destroys the demons, bless and shelter us. From greedy fiends who rise up in troops at night-time when the moon is dark.                 2.  Varuna's benison hath blessed the lead, and Agni strengthens it. Indra hath given me the lead: this verily repels the fiends.                                  3. This overcomes Vishkanda, -this drives the vorocious fiends away:               By means of this have I, overthrown all the Pisachi's demon brood.                   4. If thou destroy a cow of ours a human being, or a steed, We peirce thee with this piece of lead so that thou mayst not slay our men.