Hear now the sacred tale woven from the Atharva Veda, a story of healing, release, and reverent praise. A wise one stands before a suffering soul, speaking words of release and freedom. Whatever spell has been cast upon you—whether by your own hand or by another, friend or stranger—let these words unbind you. If you have wronged anyone, man or woman, knowingly or unknowingly, let these words set you free. Whatever harm has come to you from your mother or father, let these words of release free you from that pain. Even if your kin, your brother, your mother, or your father have committed offense against you, accept this remedy now, before your very eyes. With these words, you are made free from the burden of old age. Come here, O man, with your whole mind and heart. Do not journey toward Yama’s messenger; instead, return to the abode of the living. Return, wise one, uncalled, by the path of rising up—ascend, step forth, and journey among those who live. Do not fear; you shall not die. You are freed from old age. The disease in your limbs, the fever that afflicts you, has been spoken away. Let the breaking of your limbs, the limb-fever, and the heart-illness fly from you like a hawk, far beyond, driven by these words. The seers who are awake and those who awaken others—whether in sleep or in wakefulness—are the guardians of your breath. They watch over you, by day and by night. Sitting near this sacred fire, may the sun rise for you here. Rise up from the deep darkness of death, from the blackness of confusion. Homage to Yama, homage to Death, homage to the ancestors and to those who guide. He who knows the crossing over—I place that Agni before us for safety from harm. Let breath return to you, let mind return, let sight and strength come as well. Let your body unite together, let you stand firm on your feet. With breath, O Agni, and with sight, join him together; revive him with body and strength. You know the immortal—may he not depart, may he not become a dweller in the earth. Let not your breath depart, nor your downward breath be taken away. May the Sun, lord over death, raise you up with his radiant rays. This tongue speaks within, bound and pressed down; by you, disease has been spoken away—a hundred growths and fevers. This world is most dear to the gods, unconquered; for which you, O man, were destined here for death. We call you back—do not perish before old age. Whatever spell was made for you—in uncooked food, in mixed grain, or in raw meat—whatever witchcraft was done, it is taken back again. Whatever spell was made for you in a rooster, in a goat, or in a cur, or in a lifeless thing, that witchcraft is taken back again. Whatever harmful act was performed against you among the animals, at the wheel, or with the donkey, it is now taken back. Whatever harm was done at the root, at the yoke, or in ploughing, whatever act in the field, it is now taken back. Whatever harm was done at the household fire, at the eastern fire, or with evil intent, or in the hall, it is now taken back. Whatever harm was done in the assembly, or in the place of the gods, or with dice, it is now taken back. Whatever harm was done in the army, or with bow and arrow, or with the drum, it is now taken back. Whatever harmful act was buried for you in a well or interred in a cremation ground, or in the house, it is now taken back. Whatever harm was done at the threshold, in the fire, or in the pit—whatever burning, consuming, or devouring act—it is now taken back. Whatever was taken from you by an unlawful path, it is driven away from the one who took it; from the weak and from the boundary-crossers, it is taken back together with the guilt. Whoever tried but could not accomplish harm, who injured the foot or toe, has done good to us, and the shareless one to those who possess a share. May Indra strike down with great destruction the one who performed harmful acts, bound with fetters, rooted, and under oath; may Agni pierce him with his weapon. As evening falls, the song of praise rises. “Sing the evening song, sing the great song, bring forth radiance,” cries Atharvan, praising the god Savitar. Praise him, the son within the river, the youthful one of truth, whose speech does not deceive, who is most gracious. May that god Savitar bring us abundant immortality; both songs are well-sung for the good path. The priests press Soma for Indra, hastening the ritual; let the praiser’s word be heard, and grant favor. To him the drops enter, like birds into a tree, full of sweetness. O wide-seeing one, drive away hostilities and demons. Press Soma for the drinker of Soma, for Indra the wielder of the bolt; young, victorious lord, he is much praised. May Indra, Pūṣan, and Aditi protect us; may the Maruts protect; may the seven rivers, the offspring of the waters, protect us; may Viṣṇu and the sky also protect us. May Heaven and Earth protect us for prosperity; may the stone protect, may Soma protect us from harm; may the gracious goddess Sarasvatī protect us, may Agni and his auspicious guardians protect us. May the divine Aśvins, lords of beauty, protect us; may Dawn and Night grant us wide space. O child of the Waters, O supporter, O Tvaṣṭṛ, increase our life for all attainment. Tvaṣṭṛ, grant us divine speech; Parjanya and Bṛhaspati too. May Aditi, with sons and brothers, protect us; may the mighty one save us from the hard to cross. Aṃśa, Bhaga, Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman, Aditi, and the Maruts—may they protect us. May the hatred of the hostile one depart; O supporter, drive away all enmity. With wisdom, may the Aśvins guide us; may they grant us wide space, unimpeded. O Heaven and Earth, drive away the evil one far from us. Thus, through healing, release, and praise, the soul is restored, protected, and guided by the divine powers, walking the path of life in the light of the gods.