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There are over sixty hymns dealing with destruction of enemies. A
close inspection reveals that they deal with psychological enemies
like greed, anger jealousy etc. For instance
(8.4.22)
refers to the six psychological foes described in the section on
symbolism. (2.12)
is a prayer for the destruction of forces who obstruct the
tapas or chanting. (2.19)
is a prayer to Agni for protection. Recall Agni is the will power.
The prayer is that our psychological power may overpower the foes.
(4.40)
is a prayer for protection from demonic forces operating in
different directions. Of course, the king is there to protect his
people from enemies. This aspect is mentioned in several hymns.
AV (5.21)
entitled dundubhi, war-drum is interesting. It is not
merely a drum, but a symbol of resistance against aggressors when
the outsider wants to destroy a community, the members felt it is
their duty to defend the society. Of course, they believed in
prayer also. For instance (Sāmaveda
1872) or RV
(6.75.19)
declares that Brahma or prayer is my inner armour and grace
Sharma is also my armour. The war drum is a symbol of the
aspiration of the people aggression. The drum is pictured as
frightened away the foes (5.21.7).
ATHARVA VEDA
(5.21)
THE WAR DRUM
Rishi: Brahma
Speak to our enemies, O Drum,
faint heartedness and discord of minds;
We bring upon our adversaries
hatred, division and
panic. -----------
(1)
Trembling in the mind, in the eye,
in the heart, let our enemies
flee in fright, in consternation,
as soon as our oblation is
made. ----------- (2)
Wrought out of wood, compact
with leather-straps, dear to the whole
clan,
besprinkled with molten butter,
speak thou terror to our
enemies. ----------- (3)
As animals of the forest flee,
panic-stricken, from a man,
so do thou, Drum, roar out to our enemies,
and frighten them, and then confound their
minds, ----------- (4)
As from a wolf goats and sheep
run away greatly terrified,
so do thou, Drum, roar our to our enemies,
and frighten them and then confound their
minds. ----------- (5)
As from a hawk birds in the sky fly in terror
day by day, as if from the roaring of a
lion,
so do thou, Drum, roar out to the enemies
and frighten them and then confound their
minds. ----------- (6)
May all the devās who control
the fortunes of the battle field,
frighten away our foes with the Drum
and the skin of the
antelope. -----------
(7)
Let those our enemies who go
in battalions be terrified
with the sound of feet and the shadows
with which Indra makes his
sport. ----------- (8)
May the clang of bowstrings and Drums
cry out to the direction where
the defeated hosts of our enemies
flee in full
battalions. -----------
(9)
O Sun, take away their sight !
Beams of Light, follow them close
Let these cling to foot-bound hosts
when their valour has ebbed
away. ----------- (10)
You mighty Maruts, Sons of Pŗşhņi,
allied with Indra, crush our enemies!
May King Soma, King Varuņa,
Mahadeva, Mŗtyu and Indra, -----------
(11)
May these embattled devās
bright as the sun, united in mind,
conquer our enemies. All hail! -----------
(12)
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