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| Atharvaveda |
The Atharvaveda, an Introduction
The Vedic literature, which is enormous in size, comprises the four Vedas, viz. the Ṛgveda, the Yajurveda, the Sāmaveda, and the Atharvaveda. All these four Vedas have been arranged in a chronological sequence in some Upaniṣadic references. In such references, the Atharvaveda has been reckoned at the fourth position.
But, the recognition of the Atharvaveda as a Veda proper, is also controversial since an earlier period. In the words of Tilak,
“The Vedic religion is very often called the Trayī Dharma. The Atharvaveda finds no place amongst the three Vedas and there is an old tradition that in the point of importance and authority the Atharvaveda does not stand on par with the Ṛgveda, Yajurveda, and Sāmaveda.”
The views of different ancient scriptures, from the Vedas to the Vedāṅgas, toward the Atharvaveda, however, will be discussed under another head in this chapter itself. But, the point here is to mark that as to why, the Atharvaveda has been looked upon differently.
In this regard, Karambelkar states,
“The Atharvaveda unlike the other three Vedas is essentially the Veda of spells, charms, and incantations. It was promised to fulfill all worldly desires of the human mind. And this worldly nature of the Atharvaveda was sufficient to cause suspicions in the minds of the ancient people. The Brāhmaṇas, the Śrauta, Gṛhya, and Dharmasūtras, and the epics have all given recognition to the Atharvaveda with a wavering mind.”
Thus, it is clear that the main theme of the Atharvaveda, which is entirely of a different nature, breathing the spirit of the masses, is responsible for the exceptional treatment of the Atharvaveda.
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