{"collection":"Hinduism","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/hin/av/av05021.htm","path":"hin/av/av05021.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/hin/av/av05021.htm","text":"Hymns of the Atharva Veda, by Ralph T.H. Griffith, [1895]\n1Speak to our enemies, O Drum, discouragement and wild\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0dismay.\n \u00a0\u00a0We bring upon our foemen fear and discord and discomfiture.\n \u00a0\u00a0Drum! drive these enemies away.\n 2When sacrificial butter hath been offered, let our foemen flee.\n \u00a0\u00a0Through consternation, terrified, trembling in mind and eye and\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0heart.\n 3Wrought out of wood, compact with straps of leather, dear to\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0all the clan, p. a182\n \u00a0\u00a0Bedewed with sacrificial oil, speak terror to our enemies.\n 4As the wild creatures of the wood flee in their terror from a\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0man,\n \u00a0\u00a0Even so do thou, O Drum, roar out against our foes to frighten\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0them, and then bewilder thou their thoughts.\n 5As, when the wolf approaches, goats and sheep run sorely\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0terrified,\n \u00a0\u00a0Even so do thou, O Drum, roar out against our foes to frighten\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0them, and then bewilder thou their thoughts.\n 6As birds of air, day after day, fly in wild terror from the hawk,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0as from a roaring lion's voice,\n \u00a0\u00a0Even so do thou, O Drum, roar out against our foes to frighten\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0them, and then bewilder thou their thoughts.\n 7May all the deities whose might controls the fortune of the fray\n \u00a0\u00a0Frighten away our enemies with Drum and skin of antelope.\n 8Let those our enemies who go yonder in their battalions shake.\n \u00a0\u00a0In fear at shadows and the sounds of feet which Indra sporteth\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0with.\n 9To all the quarters of the sky let clang of bowstrings and our\n \u00a0\u00a0Drums.\n \u00a0\u00a0Cry out to hosts of foes that go discomfited in serried ranks.\n 10\u0100ditya, take their sight away! Follow them close, ye motes of\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0light.\n \u00a0\u00a0Let them cleave fast to foot-bound hosts when strength of arm\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0hath past away.\n 11Do ye, O mighty Maruts, sons of Prisni, crush down, with\n \u00a0\u00a0Indra for ally, our foemen.\n \u00a0\u00a0King Soma. Varuna, great God and sovran, Indra too, aye,\n \u00a0\u00a0Death,\u2014\n 12May these embattled Gods, brilliant as S\u016brya\u2014All hail!\u2014one-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0minded conquer those who hate us.","title":"Atharva Veda: Book 5: Hymn 21: A hymn to the War-drum and...","type":"page"}