Book 4: Hymn 19: A counter-charm and charm to secure general protection

1Thou breakest ties of kith and kin, thou causest, too, relation- ship: So bruise the sorcerer's offspring, like a reed that groweth in the Rains. 2Thou hast been blessed with blessing by the Brāhman, Kanva Nārshada. Thou fliest like a flashing dart: there is no fear or danger, Plant! within the limit of thy range. 3Illumining, as 'twere, with light, thou movest at the head of plants. The saviour of the simple man art thou, and slayer of the fiends. 4As once when time began the Gods with thee expelled the Asuras, Even thence, O Plant, wast thou produced as one who wipes and sweeps away. 5Thy father's name was Cleaver. Thou with thousand branches cleavest all. Do thou, turned backward, cleave and rend the man who treateth us as foes. 6The evil sprang from earth; it mounts to heaven and spreads to vast extent. Reverted, shaking him with might, thence on its maker let it fall. 7For thou hast grown reverted, and turned backward also is thy fruit. Remove all curses far from me, keep most remote the stroke of death. p. a128 8Preserve me with a hundred, yea, protect me with a thousand aids. May mighty Indra, Lord of Plants! give store of strength and. power to thee.