HINDU ENCYCLOPEDIA

सनातन धर्म भूमिका

Meaning of "Atharvan"

Word

Atharvan

Sanskrit

अथर्वा

IAST

atharvā

In General

Atharvan is the most prominent rishi of Atharva Veda. He composed 210 of the total 730 suktas in A.V. Many of his descendents also composed mantras in Atharva Veda. The name Atherva Veda is derived from rishi Athervan shows the respect he received among the scholars. Atharvan married Santhi, daughter of Kardama prajapati, and had a great sage Dadhichi as a son.

Athervan has also been said at many places as an expert surgeon. He is credited with stitching the jaws (murdha) or a fixing the heart in its place (Atherva Veda 10:2:26). He is termed as Deobandhu (friends to gods).

Veda

Atharvan is not mentioned as rishi for any of the Rig Veda Mantras. Rishi Bishag Athervana, possibly a desciple of Athervana is a composer of a Rig Veda sukta( 10.97). Atharvan was the guru of Shandilya whom he taught every aspect of Astanga Yoga. Their dialogue is famous as Shandilya Upanishad.

Purana

Purana say that Athervan was born out of Varuna and is a Prajapati. Dadhichi donated his bones to manufacture the vajrastra for Indra.

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Word Sanskrit IAST In General Veda Purana