Atharvaveda ancillary literature (Study)
by B. R. Modak | 1959 | 179,855 words
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. This thesis systematically ex...
Part 2.16 - The Brahma-yaga ceremony
[Full title: Royal Ceremonies (16) Brahma-yaga]
Brahma-yaga is an elaborate ceremony (Atharvaveda-Parisistas 19掳) performed in honour of god Brahma. First a pandal is erected at an auspicious place and is decorated with arches and flags. It is sprinkled with santyudaka or with panca-gavya. The ground in the pandal is besmeared with cow-dung and is adorned with unguents, white flowers and fruits. At night, offerings of bali are made in the four quarters and lamps of ghee are are kindled. At the centre of the pandal, an excellent circle is prepared and the figure of a lotus is drawn there with white powder. Outside the circle, the ground is made charming with bright pigments. An image of god Brahma is installed in the circle with the mantra: brahma jajnanam 202 and is bathed with ima apah It is worshipped by 201 offering sandal-paste, flowers, incense, lamps of ghee, garments as well as foods, and white sandal, camphor and guggulu are burnt. The worshipper then circumambulates and prostrates himself before the image. To the west or south of the image, an altar is prepared and offerings of clarified butter are made with the kutsa hymn (Atharvaveda, Saunakiya recension X.8) and with the mantras of the catana and 203 matrnama ganas. The image of Brahma is bathed with pancagavya, santyudaka and with the juice of fruits. Music (201) Atharvaveda, Saunakiya recension IV.1.1; V.6.1. (202) Atharvaveda, Saunakiya recension III.12.9; IX.3.23. (203) See Atharvaveda-Parisistas 32.3.4.
414 is played, bards and womens sing and the Brahmanas chant the relevant mantras. Trumpets, tabors, conches and kettledrums are sounded. The king kneels before the image and prays for his desired objects. Then Brahmanas as well as poor and disabled people are fed; violence to trees and animals is stopped; prisoners and enemies captivated through anger are released and security is granted to all. It is stated that by performing this ceremony a king attains long life and enjoys the whole earth. Atharvan is said to have performed this ceremony for Indra, who thereby ruled the heaven unrivalled. At the outset of this Parisieta, the ceremony is said to have been explained by Bhargava to Saunaka.