Book 4: Hymn 17: A charm to secure freedom from various evils

1We seize and hold thee, Conquering One! the queen of medi- cines that heal. O Plant, I have endowed thee with a hundred powers for every man, 2Still conquering, banishing the curse, mighty, with thy reverted. bloom. Thee and all Plants have I invoked: Hence let it save us! was my prayer. 3She who hath cursed us with a curse, or hath conceived a murderous sin, Or seized our son to take his blood, may she devour the child she bare. 4What magic they have wrought for thee in dish unbaked or burnt dark-red, What they have wrought in flesh undressed,—conquer the sorcerers therewith. 5Ill dream and wretchedness of life, Rākshasa, monster, stingy hags, All the she-fiends of evil name and voice, we drive away from us. 6Death caused by famine, caused by thirst, failure of children,. loss of kine, With thee, O Apāmārga, all this ill we cleanse and wipe away. 7Death caused by thirst, death caused by stress of hunger, loss at play with dice, All this, O Apāmārga with thine aid we cleanse and wipe away. 8The Apāmārga is alone the sovran of all Plants that grow. With this we wipe away whate'er hath fallen on thee: go in health!