Stands to mean a tatpurusha compound of Atharvan, an ancient sage, and knowledge (atharvan+knowledge), it dates back to 1000-800 BCE. The key features of Atharvaveda are given the table below:
| Features of Atharvaveda |
| The daily procedures of life are very well enumerated in this Veda |
| It has 730 hymns/suktas, 6000 mantras, and 20 books |
| Paippalada and the Saunakiya are two surviving recensions of Atharvaveda |
| Called a Veda of magical formulas, it includes three primary Upanishads – Mundaka Upanishad, the Mandukya Upanishad, and the Prashna Upanishad |
| The 20 books are arranged by the length of hymns they contain |
| Unlike Samaveda where hymns are borrowed from Rigveda, hymns of Atharvaveda are unique except a few |
| This Veda contains hymns many of which were charms and magic spells which are meant to be pronounced by the person who seeks some benefit, or more often by a sorcerer who would say it on his or her behalf |