Book 4: Hymn 17: A charm to secure freedom from various evils

HYMN XVII

A charm to secure freedom from various evils

1We seize and hold thee, Conquering One! the queen of medi-
cines that heal.
O Plant, I have endowed thee with a hundred powers for every
man,
2Still conquering, banishing the curse, mighty, with thy reverted.
bloom.
Thee and all Plants have I invoked: Hence let it save us! was
my prayer.
3She who hath cursed us with a curse, or hath conceived a
murderous sin,
Or seized our son to take his blood, may she devour the child
she bare.
4What magic they have wrought for thee in dish unbaked or
burnt dark-red,
What they have wrought in flesh undressed,—conquer the
sorcerers therewith.
5Ill dream and wretchedness of life, Rākshasa, monster, stingy
hags,
All the she-fiends of evil name and voice, we drive away from
us.
6Death caused by famine, caused by thirst, failure of children,.
loss of kine,
With thee, O Apāmārga, all this ill we cleanse and wipe away.
7Death caused by thirst, death caused by stress of hunger, loss at
play with dice,
All this, O Apāmārga with thine aid we cleanse and wipe away.
8The Apāmārga is alone the sovran of all Plants that grow.
With this we wipe away whate'er hath fallen on thee: go in
health!