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)
61 (of 459)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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342
mentioned by Kalidasa when he compares King Dilipa and his
queen Sudakṣiṇ� who were together proceeding in a chariot
towards the asrama of Vasistha
136 The Svati (α Bootis, Arcturus)
137 The Svati, otherwise called Nistya, is the
thirteenth constellation consisting of only one bright star
looking like a pearl. It belongs to the sage Kaundinya and
is presided over by Vayu
138 Väyu is a god, the banner of
the atmosphere, who enjoys the best of the rasas and enlivens
the beings by resorting to their senses. He and the Svati
are together prayed for protection (1.39.3). Under this
constellation, a horse or a bull or a maiden should be
brought before the king for the attainment of success (1.7.5).
(136) Raghuvansa 1.46:
START ATTRITE SORT: AT: I
forfrikai famquanfall
(137) KS XXXIX. 13; TB I.5.2.3; III.1.5.13, 5.1.11. Whitney
(op. cit. p. 409) is not certain that Nistya here means
a star in the Virgo, pointing out that the name Nistya
'outcast' suggests the separation of this Naksatra
from the others in question. But the fact may be point-
ed out that the Moon never approaches the Srati. This
may, possiblybe the reason for its being called Nistyä.
(138) Vayu is said at TB III.5.1.11 to be like a roaring
bull with sharp horns and urging the worlds.
