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)
223 (of 459)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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505 211
gives some details about the Kunda to be prepared and then
prescribed the invocation of the planets and the constella-
tions to the east and north of the Kunda respectively. The
deities of the quarters and sub-quarters are to be establish-
ed in their respective places. Santyudaka should be prepared
by reciting the mantras from the vastospatya and other three
212 ganas which follow and the performer should be sprinkled
with that water and he should be made to sip that water.
Then offerings of fire-sticks or of sesame should be made
together with the leaves of Bilva (艣riparna) for wealth, with
the shoots of bamboo (karira) and barley-flour for rain and
with the fruits like badara for the obtainment of cattle.
After the required number of oblations are offered, a
mah膩bhi峁ka should be performed at night. The Srue to be
used for making the offerings should be made of the wood of
Udumbara and should reach up to the head in the case of a
Brahmana, up to the fore-head in the case of a Ksatriya, and
up to the shoulder in the case of a Vaisya. For other people
(Janapada) there is no fixed length prescribed. While pouring
213 out oblations, the prescribed mantras should be recited,
the Brahmanas should then be requested to utter blessings and
211. See under the title 'The Kunda' above (pp. 424-7).
212. AVP 32.5 (v盲stospatya), 32.6 (papmah膩), 32.7 (takma-
n膩艣ana) and 32.8 (duhsvapna-na艣ana).
213. These are AV III.21.1; VI.13.1; XI.2.1, 4.1. The
mantra: oja艣 ca me ksatram ca me... is not found in any
samhita.
