Hymns of the Atharva-Veda/Book 1/Hymn 17

A charm to be used at venesection

1. Those maidens there, the veins who run their course in robes of ruddy hue, must stand quiet, reft of power, like sisters who are brotherless.                      2. Stay still, thou upper vein, stay still, thou lower, stay, thou midmost one.    The smallest one of all stands still: let the great vessel even be still.            3. Among a thousand vessels charged with blood, among a thousand veins,             Even the middlemost stand still and the extremities have rest.                      4. A mighty rampart built of sand hath circled and encompassed you:                 Be still, and quietly take rest.