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)
341 (of 459)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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623 111
army, the mantras: bhadram vada... should be recited
(1.36.5-7). If a dog is seen running through a village,
holding a bone, a horn or a piece of wood in its mouth, the
Purohita should perform the Kapoti santi, employing the
mantra: dev膩 kapotah...112 (70掳.28.4-29.1).
3 (e). Births
Abnormal births in the case of women, female animals
and even in plants (64.5.10, 8,10) always produces a peculiar
kind of fear in man. If a child is born with long hair or
without hair or with more or less number of fingers than
usual, or if, at the time of birth, it has two teeth, two
heads, two noses, one eye or three eyes, or if it has no
hands; a pacificatory ceremony becomes necessary (69.2.1-3).
If a woman or a female animal delivers a child or a young
one which has no nose, no lips or no eyes, it is ominous and
leads to the destruction of the nation. 113 If many young
ones are born with one common head, it foretells a dissension
among ministers; if a child is born with two heads, it
forecasts impending division of the kingdom; if a child is
born without heads or feet, the minister dies; and if a
child is born only with a trunks (without the head), it
prognosticates the death of the king (72.6.1-5). The birth
111.
Kaus. 46.54-55.
112. RV X.165.1; AV VI.27.1.
113. Cf. AVP 67.3.2; BS 46.52-53.
