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HYMNS OF THE ATHARVA-VEDA.
9. They who irritate me with their jabber, as (buzzing) mosquitoes the elephant, them I regard as wretched (creatures), as small vermin upon people.
10. May Nirriti (the goddess of destruction) take hold of this one, as a horse with the halter! The fool who is wroth with me is not freed from (her) snare.
II, 25. Charm with the plant prisniparnt against
the demon of disease, called kanva. 1. The goddess Prisniparnt has prepared prosperity for us, mishap for Nirriti (the goddess of destruction). For she is a fierce devourer of the Kanvas: her, the mighty, have I employed.
2. The Prisniparni was first begotten powerful; with her do I lop off the heads of the evil brood, as (the head) of a bird.
3. The blood-sucking demon, and him that tries to rob (our) health, Kanva, the devourer of our offspring, destroy, O Prisniparni, and overcome!
4. These Kanvas, the effacers of life, drive into the mountain; go thou burning after them like fire, O goddess Prisniparni!
5. Drive far away these Kanvas, the effacers of life! Where the dark regions are, there have I made these filesh-eaters go.
VI, 32. Charm for driving away demons (Rakshas
and Pisâkas). 1. Do ye well offer within the fire this oblation with ghee, that destroys the spook! Do thou, O Agni, burn from afar against the Rakshas, (but) our houses thou shalt not consume!
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