Summary
Highlights
The Atharva Veda, unlike the Rig Veda, emerged from the shadows and was not recognized as a Veda for centuries due to its focus on common people's problems and magic rather than grand rituals. Despite its initial hesitation, it contains profound Upanishads and offers insights into ancient history.
The Atharva Veda is divided into 20 chapters, with two surviving versions: Shaunaka and Paippalada. It showcases diverse literary styles and, according to scholars, some parts might be older than the Rig Veda. The Atharva Veda is structured into early (Books 1-7: Age of Magic), middle (Books 8-12: Age of Mind/Philosophy), late (Books 13-18: Age of Rituals), and appendix layers (Books 19-20: Rig Veda adoption).
This layer emphasizes the magical aspects of the Atharva Veda, including spells for healing, long life, prosperity, and even black magic (Abhichara mantras). It also includes protective spells and everyday prayers, suggesting an ancient form of manifestation. This practical nature mirrors the concerns of Vedic society without doctors or police, and has linguistic connections to Tantra and Shaivika Agamas.
The Atharva Veda has many historical names, primarily related to the Rishi families: Atharvas, Angirasas, and Bhargavas. All three names have connections to fire, suggesting they were fire priests. The Atharvas are presented as the oldest, with the Mundaka Upanishad describing Brahma giving knowledge to Atharva, who then passed it to Angiras. The Atharvas also share a historical connection with Iranian priests named Athravans, suggesting a common origin.
Books 8-12 delve into philosophical questions about the universe. The Skambha Sukta (Hymn of the Cosmic Pillar) questions the universe's foundation, and the Kamasukta (Hymn of Desire) posits desire as the origin of the universe. The Bhumi Sukta (Earth Hymn), found in Book 12, is considered humanity's first anthem, emphasizing unity and care for the Earth, originating the concept of 'mother land'.
The Rig Veda is dominated by the Angirasa clan, who worshipped Indra, representing desire and action. In contrast, the Atharva Veda is associated with the Bhrigu clan, who favored order, purity, and monotheism, and worshipped Varuna. Varuna, the god of cosmic order and justice, is presented as an all-seeing, all-knowing deity, unlike the flawed but effective Indra.
Varuna embodies cosmic order (Rita) and is seen as the ultimate judge, caring about sin and virtue. His wisdom and omnipresence are highlighted in Atharva Veda mantras. The Bhrigu clan, associated with coastal trade, spread Varuna's influence to other cultures like Assyria, Akkadia, Babylon, and Iran. Varuna's traits, such as his wisdom, later transmuted into Vishnu, with Bhrigu becoming Vishnu's devotees.
The word 'Vedhas' (wisdom) linked to Varuna is believed to have evolved into 'Mazdah', connecting Varuna Deva to Ahura Mazda, the supreme god of Zoroastrianism. A list of 101 names of Ahura Mazda includes 'Varuni', further cementing this connection. This suggests that Varuna assimilated into the Semitic god Ashur, forming the monotheistic Ahura Mazda, which influenced Abrahamic religions.
The late stage of the Atharva Veda (Books 13-18) details the formation of Hindu rituals like marriage (Book 14) and funeral rites (Book 18). Book 15 introduces the Vratya, a proto-Shiva character, marking the shift towards Hinduism. Simultaneously, in Iran, Zarathustra emerged, preaching monotheism (Ahura Mazda vs. Angra Mainyu), rejecting the caste system and animal sacrifice, and making fire worship central. Zoroastrianism influenced Judaism, Christianity, and Islam with concepts like one supreme God and the afterlife bridge.
In India, Varuna's qualities largely shifted to Vishnu, making Vishnu the focus of Bhrigu devotion. Shiva also absorbed some Asura properties of Varuna, giving rise to movements challenging caste. In contrast, in Iran, Varuna's masculine aspects formed Ahura Mazda, while feminine aspects led to Anahita (goddess of water). Mitra, initially paired with Varuna, became a popular cult in the Roman Empire (Mithraism), influencing Christianity with symbols like December 25th as a birthdate and the Magi.
The Atharva Veda, with its Bhrigu energy, represents a skeptical, stoic, and purity-focused tradition that offered the world Varuna Deva, or Ahura Mazda, as a template for monotheistic gods across Asia and Europe. The video contrasts Western monotheism (born from desert scarcity) with Indian monotheism (born from fertile land diversity). India's approach embraces multiple forms and contradictions as aspects of a single consciousness, where God is the universe observing itself, while Zoroaster's reforms against idol worship led to a strong aniconic tradition that influenced later Abrahamic faiths, as exemplified by the destruction of idols like Hubal in Mecca.