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)
216 (of 459)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
498
rivers. The ashes are to be taken from the south-eastern,
or the north-western or the western directions. Such a
bhasma-sn盲na is said to bring wealth, long life, lustre and
knowledge and to lead to the place of Pasupati from which
there is no return.
Vow.
A person who desires to be initiated into this Vrata,
should declare his gotra and express his wish to take up the
A girdle of munia grass should be tied round his waist
and a staff of Pal盲sa or Bilva or Asvattha should be given to
him. Or, instead of the staff, a sword or a club or a
khatv盲nga (staff with a skull at the top) or a battle-axe
should be given to him. He is to observe the following regula-
tions: He should fast for the day on which the vow is observ-
ed. He should not speak with women and Sudras and should
keep murmuring Gayatri-mantra. If, through mistake, he speaks
with women or S眉dras, he should murmur Rudra-savitri (40.2.5-6).
He should observe perfect celibacy, but if his semen emits,
he should utter the verse yan me retas tejas盲... which is
given in full. 197
If his Kapala or Kamandalu breaks, he
should throw it away into the water.
The Pasupata-Vrata should be brought to a close in the
following manner: Oblations should be offered to Vratapati
and the performer should stand facing the Sun. Then god Siva
should be prayed to for forgiving faults like speaking and
thinking ill and making the offering in the wrong manner.
The
197. Manu Sm. 2.181 prescribes yan me retah... (AV VII.67.1).
cr. AGS 3.6.8.
