THE Atharva Veda is also known as the Brahma Veda. It is a very exhaustive study of subjects ranging from diseases and their cure, construction of buildings, trade and commerce, statecraft, penance, propitiatory rites and high philosophical ideas.
The Atharva Veda comprises of 6,077 mantras spread over 20 kandas. It designates God as the absolute and He is known by names like Brahman, Skambha, Ucchista and Vraatya. The Veda says that the universe has emerged out of God due to His will and He is the lord of all creations.
The Atharva Veda presents an interesting picture of the society of its time. The land in which the people lived at that time extended from Gandhara (Afghanistan) to Magadha (Bihar) and Vanga (Bengal). The varna (caste) system had been well established and trade and commerce were practiced, though agriculture was the mainstay of the people. The cow was highly venerated and gaudan (cow and her progeny) was considered highly meritorious.
The three well known Upanishads-the Prasna, the Mundaka and the Mandukya are part of this Veda.
-MG
