Hear now a sacred tale woven from the Atharva Veda, where the ancient seers praise the power of plants, the blessings of cows, the greatness of kings, and the might of the gods. There is a wondrous plant, the apāmārga, whose very presence shapes the bonds of kinship and marriage. Born of potent spells, it has the power to sever offspring, just as a river in full spate carves through the land in the rainy season. This plant, empowered by the blessings of Brahmins, by Kaṇva and Nārṣada, moves forth with radiant brightness, bringing fearlessness wherever it is present. Leading all other plants, apāmārga shines like a beacon, standing as a guardian against harm and a destroyer of evil spirits. In the beginning, when the gods separated themselves from the Asuras, it was with this very plant that the division was made, and thus apāmārga came to dwell among the plants. It is a plant of many branches, its very nature is to split and divide—Splitting is even the name of its father. It turns back the forces that threaten, striking at those who would harm. Sprung from the soft earth, it spreads widely, and when its smoke is carried, it seeks out and returns to those who turn back from righteousness. This plant is itself turned back, its fruit faces backward, and it wards off all dangers from the path, averting calamity. With a hundredfold protection, with a thousand shields, it guards those who call upon it, for Indra has placed within it a fierce and mighty power. There is also a goddess who sees all—she looks forward and backward, afar and near. Nothing escapes her gaze: she beholds heaven, the midspace, and the earth. With the divine plant in hand, the seer claims the power to see all beings, for the plant is the very pupil of the celestial bird, who, descending to earth, rests like a weary bride brought to her new home. The thousand-eyed god has placed this seeing power in the right hand of the devotee, granting vision of all—servant and noble alike. The goddess is called to reveal herself, to show her many forms and not to hide. She, the thousand-eyed, is invoked to uncover all that is hidden. With this plant, the seer asks to see the sorceresses and sorcerers, to reveal all demons, for that is the purpose of taking up the plant. It is the eye of Kaśyapa and of four-eyed Śunī, and it ensures that no demon may hide, just as the sun moves openly in the sky. The plant is a shield against those who seize from above or encircle with sorcery; with it, all people—high and low—are seen. The prayer continues: reveal to us the demon who flies through the midspace, who glides beyond the sky, who claims the earth as his domain—let such beings be shown and not concealed. Now the cows come, bringing good fortune with them. Let them settle in the enclosure, their voices resounding with contentment. May they be fruitful and diverse, yielding abundant milk for Indra, as did the dawns of old. Indra, the generous god, favors those who offer and praise him, bestowing ever-increasing wealth and filling their storehouses with undivided riches. These cows are safe from loss and theft; no enemy or adversary prevails against them. With these cows, the gods are worshipped and gifts are given, and the lord of cattle prospers. No worm or insect troubles them, nor does any poison come near. They roam widely and fearlessly, protected for the mortal who sacrifices. Cows are fortune itself, cows are Indra’s own; they are the first portion of Soma and the desire of the wise. With heart and mind, the people seek Indra through these cows. They make even the lean thrive and the unlovely beautiful. They bring auspiciousness to the home, speak words of blessing, and are renowned in every gathering. Prolific, shining, and pure, drinking clear waters, may these cows be free from thieves and slanderers, and may Rudra’s missile turn aside from them. Then, a prayer is raised for the kshatriya, the warrior: Indra, increase his strength, make him the sole bull among the people. Drive away his enemies, grant him victory in contests. Let him have a share in the village, among horses and cows, and let his portion be secure, not given to his foe. May he rise to the highest station among rulers, and may Indra crush his adversaries. Let him be lord among the wealthy, chief of the people, their king. May Indra grant him great splendor and leave his enemies bereft of glory. Heaven and Earth are called to yield him riches, as milch-cows give warm milk. May this king be dear to Indra, to cows, to plants, and to all cattle. The victorious Indra is yoked for him, bringing triumph from the north, ensuring that he is undefeated and stands foremost among men. The king is set higher than all rivals, living long as Indra’s friend, while his enemies are subdued and offerings are brought in. With the lion’s form, he is to consume all opposition; with the tiger’s form, to drive away his foes—always the sole bull, Indra’s companion, long-lived and victorious. Now the hymn turns to Agni, the wise and ancient fire, the Pāñcajanya, kindled in many ways. The seers seek Agni in every household, praying for release from sin. As Jātavedas, Agni carries the offering and arranges the sacrifice with wisdom, bringing divine favor and freeing the worshipper from guilt. Agni is invoked with the finest offerings; he is the destroyer of demons, the increaser of sacrifice, the one to whom ghee is poured. The seers call upon him, the all-knowing Jātavedas, the all-pervading Vaiśvānara, the carrier of offerings, to release them from sin. It is by Agni that the seers kindled their strength, by whom the mighty subdued the powers of demons, and by whom Indra conquered the Paṇis with fire. The gods found immortality through Agni, made the sweet plants, and attained the sun itself. All that shines, all that is born or yet to be, moves in Agni’s domain; to him, praised and sought for help, the seers pray for freedom from sin. Finally, Indra is honored—the ever-victorious, the slayer of Vṛtra—whose might is praised in hymns. He comes to the call of the worshipper, does good, and releases from sin. Indra, mighty among the mighty, strong-armed, shattered the Dānavas, conquered the rivers, and claimed the cows. To him is offered the prayer for deliverance and blessing. Thus, in these sacred verses, the powers of plants, the blessings of cattle, the strength of kings, and the glory of Agni and Indra are celebrated, each upholding the order of the world and bestowing protection, prosperity, and freedom from sin upon those who honor them.