Atharva Veda is also referred to as ‘Brahma Veda’. It has invocations and praises to the Gods. It is also a curative science. It has mantras for curing various ailments, both bodily and mental, as well as for peace of mind. It encompasses many fields of knowledge, including geography, astronomy, herbs, Ayurveda, and many more sciences. It has procedures for curing very deep-seated ailments. It has details on economics, politics, importance of nation, national language, etc. It has cures for insect-related diseases, as well as procedures to enhance longevity of one’s life, ward off death, means for liberation, and myriad procedures to enhance welfare of humanity. Atharva Veda is central to the science of Ayurveda. It has techniques for enhancing physical and mental well-being as well as many mantras that are tantric in nature. According to Charan Vyuha Grantha, Atharva Veda had nine shakhas, namely, Paipalad, Daant, Pradaant, Snat, Sowl, Brahmadabal, Shounak, Devadarshat and Charan Vidya. At present, we have knowledge of only two shakhas, namely: Paipalad and Shounak. Shounak Shakha is the more popular of the two Shakas in India. Paipalad Shakha is prevalent is small pockets, comprising of 10-12 scholars, centered in Puri, Odisha. At present, only Samhimta of Shounak Shakha is available, the Brahmana part of Shounak Shakha is borrowed from Paipalad Shakha.

There are 5977 mantas in Atharva Veda Samhita, divided into 20 Khands (Chapters). Atharva Veda Brahmana is called Gopath Brahmana. It was authored by Sage Gopath and hence the name Gopath Brahmana. This Brahmana is very expansive in scope and coverage. Gopath Brahmana has two parts: Poorva Bhag and Uttara Bhag, respectively having 5 and 6 chapters. While Gopath Brahmana is authored by Sage Gopath, four sages are praised in the same work. These are: Sages Bhrugu, Angira, Atharva and Prabhruti. They had significant contribution to Atharva Veda. The Rig Veda describes Lord Varuna as the Lord of the Sky. However, over a period of time, Lord Varuna became Lord of the Waters. How this transformation happened is described in Gopath Brahmana. Gopath Brahmana has details of myriad matters and hence it has particular significance among all Brahmanas

Of the ten main Upanishads, three are part of Atharva Veda: Mundaka, Prasna, and Mandukya. The Mundaka Upanishad has two khands (parts). It has total six mundaks (chapters). The first Khand has three mundaks, and the second has three mundaks. It has discussion on matter (padarth) and Brahma Vidya, as well as discussion on Atma and Paramatma. The beginning of this Upanishad has “Satyameva Jayate, na anrutam.” The first part of this has been adopted in the national emblem of India. Through the examples of two birds on a tree and of a spider web, the relationship of atma and paramatma is beautifully brought out. This Upanishad was particularly cited by Advaitins such as Adi Sankara and Swami Vivekananda, as well as Dvaitins such as Madhvacharya. Adi Shankara used this Upanishad extensively in his discourses, since it has stipulations of how a sanyasi should live, etc. This Upanishad has 64 mantras. This Upanishad is in the form of discussion between Sage Angiras and his disciple, Sage Shounak.

Sage Pippalad had seven disciples, namely, Sukesha, Satyakam, Showryayani, Gargya, Kaushalya, Bhargav, and Kabandhi. These disciples asked their Guru, Sage Pippalad, a total of six questions, along with answers from the Guru, which together form the Upanishad.

The Mandukya Upanishad discusses the four states of being (awake, dream, deep sleep and Turiya). It has just 12 mantras but is very profound. It encapsulates the gist of spiritual knowledge. It has description of the origin of and dissolution into Brahaman, of the jiva and the world. It also has detailed description of the significance of ‘OM.’ The essence of the Upanishad is: “Everything is Brahman.”

The Atharva Veda has a Mahavakya: “Ayam Atma Brahma,” which means that this Atma is Brahman.

There are several other granthas (texts) that complete the Atharva Veda: Manduki Shiksha, Koushikasa Gruhya Sutra, Vaitanasa Shrouta Sutra, Pancha Patilika and Atharva Veda Pratishakya.