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)
288 (of 459)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
570
waters are seen covered with an oily sheet, the crows move
about in a circle, and the jackals howl loudly. The signs of
a lunar eclipse are seen from the eighth day of the bright
fortnight up to the Full-moon day; and in the case of a solar
eclipse, they are seen for the same number of days in both
fortnights.
33 The time of the eclipse betokens the future. If the
Sun or the Moon rise eclipsed, it indicates the ruin of the
knowers of the Vedas, children and those who have matted hair
or wear reddish garments (i.e. samnyasins). If the eclipse
takes place in the morning, it affects youths, the knowers
of sacrifice, aquatic animals and lordly elephants. If it
takes place at noon (or midnight), it affects the sudras and
the thieves. If the Moon appears cut (parivrkta), it kills
the kat king and the spies (carana-caranan). If it looks
elliptical (pralamba), 34 it affects women, the empire and the
nation; then the people in Trigarta are tormented and also
those who wield a danda. In the case of an eclipse occuring
in chidra (1.e. the eighth lunar mansion), the birds are
killed and there is no rain; when an eclipse occurs in
33. Cf. S.H.Hooke, "Omens - Ancient and Modern", Folklore
LXVI, p.335.
34.
BS (5.43-52) mentions ten kinds of eclipses but this
word does not occur there.
