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)
60 (of 459)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
341
The Citra belongs to the seer Gautama and is presided
135.
over by Tvastr
protects the beings and does great deeds.
Tvastr is the wise creator of the earth,
Tvaá¹£tr and the
beautiful Citra are prayed for the success in activities
(1.39.2). The domesticated animals and the beasts are said
to be under the control of the Citra (1.7.4). The BS (15.12)
states that ornaments, jewels, unguents, perfume-makers,
musicians, mathematicians, weavers, lancers and good corns
are under the sway of this asterism. It is said that the
disease contracted under the Citra lasts for ten nights
(1.33.11).
A king should make many plans under this constellation
and carry them out before the Svati starts pouring rain
(1.10.1). One should eat many a kind of food and proceed in
the southern direction to return successful (1.28.2). A
person desirous of a wife should be adorned with variegated
garlands and all perfumes and should be bathed under the
Citra. Thereby he will soon get a beloved (1.44.2) A
Sudra woman well decorated with flowers and perfumes should
be given away under this constellation, whereby a person is
said to attain an eternal place (1.49.2).
The Moon on his path across the sky comes quite close
to the Citra as he does to the Rohini. That the union of the
Moon with the charming Citra has an indescribable beauty is
(135) TS IV.4.10 and TB I.5.1.3 mention Indra as the deity
of the Citra.
