The Atharva also contains a few astronomical data, the lunar mansions being enumerated in the nineteenth book. The names here given deviate considerably from those mentioned in the Taittiriya Samhita, appearing mostly in a later form. The passage in which this list is found is, however, a late addition. The language of the Atharva is, from a grammatical point of view, decidedly later than that of the Rigveda, but earlier than that of the Brahmanas. In vocabulary it is chiefly remarkable for the large number of popular words which it contains, and which from lack of opportunity do not appear elsewhere. It seems probable that the hymns of the Atharva, though some of them must be very old, were not edited till after the Brahmanas of the Rigveda were composed. On examining the contents of the Atharva-veda more in detail, we find that the hostile charms it contains are directed largely against various diseases or the demons which are supposed to cause them. There are spells to cure fever (takman), leprosy, jaundice, dropsy, scrofula, cough, ophthalmia, baldness, lack of vital power; fractures and wounds; the bite of snakes or injurious insects, and poison in general; mania and other ailments. These charms are accompanied by the employment of appropriate herbs. Hence the Atharva is the oldest literary monument of Indian medicine. The following is a specimen of a charm against cough (vi. 105):-- Just as the soul with soul-desires Swift to a distance flies away, So even thou, O cough, fly forth Along the soul's quick-darting course. Just as the arrow, sharpened well, Swift to a distance flies away, So even thou, O cough, fly forth Along the broad expanse of earth. Just as the sun-god's shooting rays Swift to a distance fly away, So even thou, O cough, fly forth Along the ocean's surging flood. Here is a spell for the cure of leprosy by means of a dark-coloured plant:-- Born in the night art thou, O herb, Dark-coloured, sable, black of hue: Rich-tinted, tinge this leprosy, And stain away its spots of grey! (i. 23, 1). A large number of imprecations are directed against demons, sorcerers, and enemies. The following two stanzas deal with the latter two classes respectively:-- Bend round and pass us by, O curse, Even as a burning fire a lake. Here strike him down that curses us, As heaven's lightning smites the tree (vi. 37, 2). As, rising in the east, the sun The stars' bright lustre takes away, So both of women and of men, My foes, the strength I take away (vii. 13, 1). A considerable group of spells consists of imprecations directed against the oppressors of Brahmans and those who withhold from them their rightful rewards. The following is one of the threats held out against such evil-doers:--