This book puts into context the “charms” of the Atharva Veda, an ancient ritual tradition originating in the northwestern area of the Indian subcontinent, through a critical examination of ideas frequently encountered in studies of this Veda, in particular the usage of the label “magic” as well as of the notions of poetry and performativity. This introductory study is followed by the critical edition and translation into English and French of the forty hymns of book 3 of the Paippalādasaṁhitā of the Atharva Veda, along with a detailed commentary in French for each hymn. This book will interest not only sanskritists and scholars of South Asia but also linguists, ethnolinguists and anthropologists.