The Religion of the Veda: The Ancient Religion of India (from Rig-Veda to Upanishads) c6.s1.51

c6.s1.51

The oldest name of the Atharva-Veda is *atharvāngirasaḥ*, a compound formed of the names of two semi-mythic families of priests, the Atharvans and Angirases. At a very early time the former term was regarded as synonymous with "holy charms," or "blessings"; the latter with "witchcraft charms," or "curses." In addition to this name, and the later more conventional name Atharva-Veda, there are two other names, used only in the ritual texts of this Veda. One is *bhṛgvaṅgirasah*, that is, Bhrigus and Angirases. In this the Bhrigus, another ancient family of fire priests, take the place of the Atharvans. The other is Brahma-Veda, probably "Veda of the Brahman," that is the Veda of the supervising fourth priest at the Vedic (*çrauta*) sacrifices.¹ The latter name may, however, be due to some extent to the fact for the cure of diseases; prayers for health and long life; charms for the prosperity of home and children, cattle and fields; expiatory formulas designed to free from sin and guilt; charms to produce harmony in the life of families and in the deliberations of the village assembly; charms concerned with love and marriage, and, indirectly, with the rivalries and jealousies of men and women in love; conjurations against demons, sorcerers, and enemies; charms for kings in peace and war; and charms calculated to promote the interests of the Brahmans, especially to secure for them the abundant baksheesh for which they clamor with the most refreshing directness.