Often called the fourth and the last Veda, the Atharva Veda is
different from all the other three Vedas. Though the classical Atharva
Veda is related to religious and socio-cultural aspects of the society,
it dwells on an entirely different level of knowledge. The hymns that
are contained in Atharvaveda are more diverse in nature and character
than the ones in Rig Veda. It is also of a much simpler language than
the Rig Veda. Most scholars in fact don't even consider Atharva Veda to
be a part of the Vedas.
The Atharva Veda basically consists of charms and spells that were
prevalent at that time in the society. The Atharva Veda presents a
portrait of the Vedic society. One can find an independent and parallel
stream of knowledge and thought in the Atharva Veda. It is said that the
mantras are very powerful and should be chanted with much caution and
only by specific priests who have a wide knowledge about the Atharva
Veda.
The Atharvaveda is associated with the area and cult of mystic science
and the dark side of science. It is said to deal with death, spirits and
afterlife. It is said that if pregnant women attend the rituals where
Atharva Veda is chanted, the effects can be so powerful that they may
suffer an abortion. An example of the power of Atharva Veda is sited in
epic of Mahabharata. When the Pandavas are exiled for a period of
thirteen years, they consult Atharva Veda and shrink time so that it
compresses to thirteen days.
