Essay name: Atharvaveda ancillary literature (Study)
Author:
B. R. Modak
Affiliation: Savitribai Phule Pune University / Department of Sanskrit and Prakrit Languages
The essay studies the ancillary literature of the Atharva-Veda with special reference to the Parisistas. It does so by understanding the socio-cultural and philosophical aspects of ancient Indian life. The Atharvaveda addresses encompasses all practical aspects of life from health and prosperity to rituals and sorcery.
Chapter 1 - Ancillary Literature of the Atharvaveda (other than the Parisistas)
243 (of 255)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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270 10
gana It may be noted that the ten ganas from s盲nti to
varcasya (nre. 5 to 14) are grouped together as dasaganah
and that all the 28 ganas are found in the Ganamata (AVP 32).
The BA then turns to its main task, namely, that of
enumerating the seer etc. of each hymn. Often, the text
together takes into consideration a group of hymns having
some common points, and then mentions the other characteris
tics of each hymn in the group. Thus, for instance, it is
stated that the first three suktas in k盲nda I are in the
anustubh metre and are composed by the seer Atharvan. The
text gives the viniyoga of the suktas by telling an account
regarding the purpose.for which it was used by the seer
The first sukta is said to have been used by Atharvan for
11 acquiring proficiency in speech (v膩c膩bhivrddhyai) 12. It is
further stated (1.5), regarding the metre in general, that
when there is one syllable less, the metre is to be known
as of the niert type, when there are two syllables less, it
is called virat, when there is one syllable more, it is
called bh奴rik and when there are two syllables more it is to
(9) These seven ganas are found at SK II.14.1-2 except that
instead of the patnivata, the rudra and the raudra
- ganas are mentioned there.
(10) These are identical with those grouped in the SK II.23.
1-2 and the Ganamala, AVP 32.1-10. Cf. Caturvarga-
Cintamani, Vratakhanda, Vol. II, part 1, pp. 282 ff.
(11) This is found often throughout the text.
(12) Kaus. 10.1 uses the hymn for medhajanana.
