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Question 23 of 72 · Vedic Period
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Which Veda contains magic spells and charms for warding off evil spirits and diseases?

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Answer: Option B — Atharvaveda

Detailed Solution

The Atharvaveda contains many charms and magic spells to ward off evil spirits, cure diseases, and protect against dangers.

Spells and charms in the Atharvaveda:

  • Charms to cure fevers, coughs, skin diseases, snake bites and other illnesses ("bhaishajyani").
  • Spells to drive away demons and evil spirits.
  • Charms for long life and good health ("ayushyani").
  • Spells for success in love, marriage and family life.
  • Spells to harm enemies and rivals ("abhicharikani").
  • Charms for prosperity, good harvests, cattle and trade.
  • Charms for kings, for victory in battle and for the protection of the kingdom.

Why it is important:

  • It tells us about the beliefs and practices of ordinary people, not only of priests.
  • It mentions many diseases and medicinal herbs, and is considered a forerunner of Ayurveda.
  • It is also important for its philosophical and cosmological hymns.

Philosophical hymns:

  • The "Prithvi Sukta" (Bhumi Sukta), a hymn to the Earth, which speaks of the earth as a mother and of people with different languages and religions living on it.
  • Hymns about time ("kala"), and about the supreme principle.

How it was viewed:

  • The Atharvaveda was accepted as a Veda later than the other three.
  • For a long time, it was not given the same status, partly because of its magical contents.

About the four Vedas:

  • Rigveda: hymns of praise to the gods.
  • Samaveda: melodies for singing at sacrifices.
  • Yajurveda: sacrificial formulas and rituals.
  • Atharvaveda: spells, charms, remedies and everyday life.

Why not the other options?

  • ✗The Rigveda consists mainly of hymns of praise.
  • ✗The Samaveda consists of chants for singing.
  • ✗The Yajurveda contains formulas for sacrifices.

Quick tip

Remember: Atharvaveda = magic spells, charms and remedies for diseases (forerunner of Ayurveda; Prithvi Sukta); Rigveda = praise; Samaveda = chants; Yajurveda = sacrificial formulas.

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Vedic Period — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Vedic Period, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

The Vedic period followed the arrival of the Indo-Aryans and is divided into the Early (Rig Vedic) and Later Vedic ages. This topic covers the four Vedas, the Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads, Vedic society, polity, economy and religion, and the rivers and gods mentioned in Vedic texts. Exams often ask which Veda deals with what (the Sama Veda with music, the Atharva Veda with charms and medicine), the most important Rig Vedic god (Indra), and Vedic assemblies such as the Sabha and Samiti. Note how society changed from the Early to the Later Vedic age, especially the rise of the varna system and the growth of kingship. Practise the Vedic period questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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