________________
98
HYMNS OF THE ATHARVA-VEDA..
2. In the male, forsooth, seed doth grow, that is poured into the female. That, forsooth, is the way to obtain a son; that has been told by Pragâpati.
3. Pragâpati, Anumati, and Sinivált have fashioned him. May he (Pragâpati) elsewhere afford the birth of a female, but here he shall bestow a man!
VII, 35. An incantation to make a woman
sterile.
1. The other enemies conquer with might; beat back, O Gatavedas, those that are not yet born! Enrich this kingdom unto happiness, may all the gods acclaim this man!
2. Of these hundred entrails of thine, as well as of the thousand canals, of all these have I closed the openings with a stone.
3. The upper part of the womb do I place below, there shall come to thee neither offspring nor birth! I render thee sterile and devoid of offspring; a stone do I make into a cover for thee.
VI, 17. Charm to prevent miscarriage. 1. As this great earth conceives the germs of the beings, thus shall thy embryo be held fast, to produce a child after pregnancy!
2. As this great earth holds these trees, thus shall thy embryo be held fast, to produce a child after pregnancy!
3. As this great earth holds the mountains and the peaks, thus shall thy embryo be held fast, to produce a child after pregnancy!
4. As this great earth holds the animals scattered
Digized by Google
