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)
53 (of 459)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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presided over by the Pitrs. The Pitrs are said to be
122 meritorious persons who attained godhood, they are the sages
who have gone to king Iama and they are prayed together
with the Magha, to make the activities auspicious (1.38.3).
According to the BS (15.8) the people rich with corn and
money, granaries, hill-tribes, merchants, heroes, flesh-
eaters, haters of women and those who are dutiful to their
fathers are under the sway of this constellation. The
disease caused under the Magha is said to last for ten
nights (1.33.11).
A king should remain quiet and should not proceed for
attack under this constellation. Otherwise he will not
prosper (1.9.9). One should eat, with oil, a dish prepared
from rice, peas and spices (krsara) and proceed in the
south. Then he will return with his aim achieved (1.28.1).
If a maiden takes a bath under the Marha with water to which
are added sesame and blue and red lotuses, she secures a
husband soon in that month (1.43.8). Under this constellation,
(122) At TB III.1.1.6 the Pitrs are praised as speedy like
the mind and doing good deeds. The manes who were
burnt in the religious fire and those who were not,
those whom we know and those whom we do not know are
invoked to accept the oblations offered under the Maghä
