This Veda is also known as Brahma Veda and has been attributed to two rishis called Atharvah and Angira, respectively. Because of its association with the two rishis, in the olden times it was also called Atharvangirasa. While it is mostly concerned with peace and prosperity of the human society and covers all aspects of a man’s daily life, it specifically focuses on treatment of several ailments. The book is known to prescribe treatment for almost 99 diseases.
There are two major recensions (sakhas) of the text called the Paippalada and Saunakiya. Most of the text deals with healing and black and white magic; speculation on the changes in the universe; and even touches upon issues of the everyday problems in a householder’s life.