Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda

In this post I will talk about some interesting facts about Atharva Veda (Sanskrit: अथर्ववेद, Bengali: অথর্ববেদ ). The Atharva Veda is a sacred Hindu text often called the "fourth Veda" in the usual order of enumeration after Rig Veda, Yajur Veda and Sama Veda.

However many parts of Atharva Veda are as old as Rig Veda.

#1 Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda
Atharva Veda is one of the oldest Indo-European texts. The bulk of the text dates from 1500 BC to 1000 BC.

It predates Bible by 1500 years and Koran by 2000 years!

#2 Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda 
Atharva Veda is the first Indian text which talks about medicine. It prescribes various plant based medicines accompanied by mantras to heal the body.

#3 Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda 
Atharva Veda is one of the oldest texts to talks about antibiotics.

Hymn 1.23 and 24 talks about leprosy and prescribes a medicine called rajani, a lichen with antibiotic properties.

#4 Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda 
Atharva Veda is one of the earliest Indian texts to describe warfare techniques. It talks about poisoned arrows, poisoned nets, disease spreading insects and smoke screens.

#5 Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda 
Atharva Veda is one of the oldest texts to talk about building and constructions, trade and commerce and statecraft.

The Rajakarma Suktas talk about the political system during those days. National and social problems were handled by a parliament or samiti.

While Europe and Arab countries were still hunter gatherer barbarians, Indians had already developed a superior culture.

#6 Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda 
Indra is the most popular deity in Atharva Veda followed by Agni and Soma, similar to Rig Veda. This proves the contemporaneity of Aharva Veda with Rig Veda.

#7 Interesting Facts about Atharva Veda

Image Source : http://www.harappa.com/indus/27.html

Atharva Veda refers to the bull quite bull frequently.

Bull is found commonly in most Indus Valley and Harappan seals and relics, and its numerous references in Atharva Veda along with same geographic areas indicates Indus Valley Civilization and Atharva Veda Hindu civilization are the same.

References:
Wikipedia on Atharva Veda
Hindupedia on Atharva Veda
Atharva Veda word Frequency

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