Hymn to the Earth

HERMANN BECKH (1875-1937) studied Law and later Sanskrit, becoming Professor of Oriental Studies at the University of Berlin. A master of ancient and modern languages, he wrote extensively on religious and philosophical subjects, including Buddhism, Indology, Christianity, Alchemy and Music. In 1911, he heard a lecture by Rudolf Steiner and was inspired to join the Anthroposophical Society, where he soon became a valued co-worker. In 1922, he helped found The Christian Community, a movement for religious renewal. His many books are in the process of being translated from the original German and published in English.

• A. Introduction1. Age and origin of the Hymn2. The name Atharavaveda; Indo-European and Indo-Iranian element of the poem3. Content and structure of the HymnB.  The Hymn to the Earth (Atharvaveda XII, I), a translation of Prof. Beckh’s version, checked against the Sanskrit originalC. Explanations to the Hymn and the translationD. Appendix 1The Name of Christ and His Being in the Atharvaveda Hymn1. Christ the Cosmic Truth2. The Greek origin of the name ‘Christ’; the speech sounds of the Indian krs, kristi3. The name ‘Christ’ and the speech from the heart of the Earth4. The Earth-Star Mystery of the word Kristall, ‘crystal’, in Indian and EgyptianE. Appendix 21. The Indian Hymn of Creation from the Rigveda2. The beginning of Genesis (the biblical story of Creation)3. ‘Die Weidenkätzchen’ by Christian MorgensternNotes

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