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HYMNS OF THE ATHARVA-VEDA.
IV, 18. Charm with the apâ mârga-plant, against
sorcerers and demons. 1. Night is like unto the sun, the (starry) night is similar to day. The truth do I engage for help: the enchantments shall be devoid of force !
2. He, O ye gods, who prepares a spell, and carries it to the house of one that knows not (of it), upon him the spell, returning, shall fasten itself like a suckling calf upon its mother!
3. The person that prepares evil at home, and desires with it to harm another, she is consumed by fire, and many stones fall upon her with a loud crash.
4. Bestow curses, O thou (apâ mârga), that hast a thousand homes, upon the (demons) visikha ('crestless'), and vigriva (crooked-neck ')! Turn back the spell upon him that has performed it, as a beloved maid (is brought) to her lover!
5. With this plant I have put to naught all spells, those that they have put into thy field, thy cattle, and into thy domestics.
6. He that has undertaken them has not been able to accomplish them: he broke his foot, his toe. He performed a lucky act for us, but for himself an injury.
7. The apamârga-plant shall wipe out (apa mârshtu) inherited ills, and curses; yea, it shall wipe out all witches, and all grudging demons (arayi)!
8. Having wiped out all sorcerers, and all grudging demons, with thee, O apamârga, we wipe all that (evil) out.
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