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1 'Atharva Veda Samhita vol. Pandit, Shankar Pandurang. Atharva veda. About Atharva Veda. The word ‘Atharvan,’ is derived from ‘athar,’ which is an obsolete word for fire.It means ‘the priest of fire.’ So, Atharvan is the name of an ancient sage who ‘brought down fire from heaven’ and started the sacrificial rites here.
The Atharva Veda ('Wisdom of the Atharvan Priests) was added significantly later than the first three Samhitas, perhaps as late as 500 BCE. It consists of 20 books of hymns and prose, many of which reflect the religious concerns of everyday life. This practical perspective sets the Arharva Veda apart from the other Vedas, which focus on adoring the gods and performing the liturgy of sacrifice, and makes it an important source of information on the practical religion and magic of the time.
![Hymns of the atharva veda Hymns of the atharva veda](http://www.nanglitirth.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/177493_258770454222765_704829754_o-860x280.jpg)
Books 1 through 8 of the Atharva Veda contain magical prayers for long life, prosperity, curses, kingship, love, and a variety of other specific purposes. Books 8 through 12 include cosmological hymns, marking a transition to the loftier philosophy of the Upanishads. The remainder of the books consist of magical and ritual formulas, including marriage and funeral practices.