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The Twelfth Lesson: The Vedas; and Glossary.1361
The Atharva-Veda has been called “the Veda of Psychic Powers,” for the
reason that it devotes much attention to the various methods regarded as
conducive to the development of super-normal faculties, senses, and powers.
There is mention of both the low as well as the high use of the powers, the
discussion ranging from highest forms of psychic power to the lowest forms
of witchcraft, sorcery and black-magic, the habit of the Hindu mind being
toward thoroughness, the logical conclusion being sought after without
fear or hesitation. The books composing the Atharva-Veda, some twenty
in number, contain countless “recipes” and formula for blessings, curses,
charms, incantations, magical ceremonies, invocations, evocations, etc., etc.,
far exceeding in variety and detail any of the similar writings of the Hebrews,
Greeks, etc., and showing to what extent the human mind may travel along
these lines. But strange to say, among this mass of “methods,” etc., there
appear certain portions of the work touching upon high ideas, thoughts
and speculations, having evidently been written about the same time, and
included with the other work by reason of the period of their writing, rather
than by any relationship or connection of thought. The modern Hindu, and
in fact” the Hindus for many centuries past, have recognized a decided
division between the parts of the Atharva-Veda, separating them into
divisions corresponding to the Western terms of “White Magic” and “Black
Magic” respectively.
The Brahmanas.
There are many schools of interpretations of the Vedas, each of which
have many commentaries arising from “the interpretations. Proceeding from
these differences appeared the several Brahmanas, which are in the nature
of theological commentaries concerning the Vedas, more particularly in
the matter of forms, ceremonies, creeds, etc., accompanied by a copious
reference to the original books, and a quoting of “texts” in a manner familiar
to those familiar with the customs of the Western sects and denominations.
From these original Brahmanas developed a later form of commentaries