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)
96 (of 459)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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377
have grown again after being cut; the corn being cooked in
the milk of a cow having a calf of the same colour as her
27 own. The fuel used for the purpose should be of k盲mpila
28 tree that has grown after being cut. Then the king is tied
with an amulet which is prepared from a part of the rim of
the wheel of his chariot and which is covered with iron,
lead, silver and copper, the navel of the amulet being made
of gold. The amulet is tied with the two verses beginning
with yad asau suryo 29. The amulet is called abhivrata-
ma峁噄 and is said to be the destroyer of foes. Then rice,
water and holy grass are taken from the quarter towards
which is situated the country from which he was expelled. AV
III.3, which specially refers to the restoration of a king,
is employed here together with the next one, in which the
king is welcomed by the subjects. The puroda sa is placed
on the holy grass sprinkled with water. The clod of earth
brought from the same quarter is spread over the northern
side of the vedi. Then the king eats milk and rice. By
performing this rite, a banished king is restored to his
kingdom.
30 (27) Cf. Comm. on Kaus. 16.28: sar奴pavatsam pu峁ikarmatv膩t.
(28) The corn that grows on a stalk that is cut and the tree
that grows after being cut are supposed to possess the
magic potency necessary for restoration.
(29) Cf. AV I.29.5-6.
(30) It would, however, seem that AV III.4 has nothing to do
with the restoration of a banished king. It clearly
refers to the election of a king.
