The Vedas are the most important records of the religion and the institutions of the Aryans. The last and the latest Veda is the Atharvaveda, which is addressed with many other names such as- Amritaveda, Atmaveda, Angiro Veda, Atharvangirasa, Bhrigvangirasa, Kshatra, Bhaishajya and Chandoveda, etc.
Atharvaveda describes the application of both type of ceremonies viz., peaceful affirmation and the witchcraft (Abhicarika) ceremonies. The most cryptic mysteries of universe, the divine prays, applications of offerings, cure for the ailments, marriage, reproduction, family, administration, social pattern and self-protection, education, harmony-sense of unity, pharmaceutical, witchcraft applications, women welfare, etc. all aspects of the universe and the human life are embedded within it.
The oldest Bhashya of Sayana too is available in this Samhita. Many translations on Atharva are available, but entire subject-matter on Atharvaveda was translated with critical and exegetical commentary by W.D. Whitney in English and it was edited by Charles Rockwell Lanman during 1905. The translation of the present edition is based on that edition, and Sanskrit text is also included in the current edition.
In the present edition, old usage of English has been supplanted with corresponding usage of modern English. Whitney’s translation is not available on 20th Kanda, but has been completed in this edition. In the last, an index of mantras in Devanagari is given for the ready reference of the readers.
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