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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 2a - The nature of the Parisistas (of the Atharvaveda)

Page:

141 (of 459)


External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)


Download the PDF file of the original publication


Warning! Page nr. 141 has not been proofread.

422
arka (calatropis gigantea) and thorny trees.
The place
chosen for the performance of a sacrifice should also be
free from birds like herons, vultures as well as owls and
also from the ashes and bones from a cemetery (30.3.1).
It should have young blossoming creepers, shrubs and sprouts
as well as trees laden with fruits. The atmosphere there
should be filled with the sweet cooing of birds like
peacock, swan, cakravÄka and kärandava. A forest or the
bank of a river or the mouth of a river may be chosen as the
sacrificial site. It should be situated to the north or the
north-east (aparajita) of the city. The ground there should
be sloping towards the east or towards the north (21.3.5-
4.4). Sometimes a rite especially of the abhicara type is
performed at a cross-road so that the sin may be taken away
10 by the people frequenting that place. A domestic rite
may be performed in the cow-pen and Vratas like the
Pasupata-vrata may be performed in temples or sacrificial
halls or in the caves of mountains (4.6.5; 40. .5-7).
After selecting the spot, the sacrificial pandal
should be erected. It should be sixteen hands in length
(7) This rule is laid down because the sticks of these
trees are employed only for witchcraft (abhicÄra).
Cf. AVP 26.5.3.
(6) cr. Kesava on Kaus. 7.13: यतà¥à¤° पà¥à¤°à¤¾à¤¯à¤¶à¤¬à¥à¤¦à¤¾ à¤� ते ततà¥à¤°à¤¾à¤°à¤®à¥à¤¯à¤®à¥à¥¤
( [yatra prÄyaÅ›abdÄ na te tatrÄramyam|
(
]
9) Cf. BS 48.4-17.
(10) Cf. AVP 33.4.4 with SK 2.15.1. Cf. also Keith, RPVU
I, p. 239.
EMEDE

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