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)
97 (of 459)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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378 2
. The Pusyabhiseka
The Pu峁abhi峁ka (AVP 5) is one of the important and
elaborate royal ceremonies. In this ceremony, a king is
bathed with holy water under the Pusya constellation.
31 The
BS deals with the Pu峁abhi峁ka in 87 verses. There it is
said that the vidhi of this ceremony was explained by
Svayambhu to Brhaspati, the preceptor of gods, for the sake
of Mahendra. The knowledge of the same was acquired by
Vrddha Garga and was conveyed to Bhaguri. This rite is said
to counteract the evil effects of portents and bring great
prosperity to the king.
The BS (48.4-17) states that great care should be taken
in choosing the site for this holy rite. The place should
be devoid of inauspicious trees and birds. Var盲hamihira
describes in a poetic and ornamental style the characteristics
of the site to be chosen for this ceremony. He says: The
rite may be performed on sandy banks which are like the
charming thighs of river-damsels, bearing the nail-marks of
aquatic birds (48.8). He further goes on to say that a place
where a lion is overpowered by a doe, like anger (krodha) by
forgiveness (k峁m膩), or a hermitage where safety is granted
to birds, deer and fawns may be chosen for this ceremony
(48.13). AVP 5, which deals with the Pu峁abhi峁ka, does not,
however, specify the place.
(31) Adhyaya 48.
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