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 1 - Ancillary Literature of the Atharvaveda (other than the Parisistas)
167 (of 255)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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194 17
slokas The colour of the image of each of the constella-
tions is prescribed (as in the case of the Grahas in the
18 first adhyaya). The images of the constellations are given
a bath with the mantra: ima apah ... . They are then
offered flowers, garments and unguents of corresponding
colours. Clarified butter is offered to them to the
accompaniment of two hymns (AV XIX.7, 8)' and the havis
20 19
is offered with the prescribed verses Sacrificial sticks
(17) The slokas given here are comparable to those employed
at the invocation of Skanda in the Dhurta-kalpa (AVP
20.2.1-7). It may be noted in this connection that the
Naksatras are addressed as being by nature sadharana
(Krttika and Visakha), dhruva (Rohini, Uttara, Phalguni,
Uttara A峁岣峢a and Uttara Prosthapada), mrdu (Mrgasiras,
Citra, Anuradha and Revati), daruna (Ardra, Ales膩,
Jyestha and Mula), cara (Punarvasu, Sv盲ti, Sravana, and
Satabhisak), Keipra (Pusya, Hasta, Abhijit and Asvins)
and uera (Magha, Purva Phalguni, Purva Asa岣峢a, Purva
Prosthapada and Bharani). This astronomical division
of the constellations corresponds with Brhatsamhita
98.6-11, except for the omission of Abhijit and with
the Kalanirnaya of Madhava except for the inclusion of
Visakha in the ugra group and of Asvins in the sadh膩ra峁嘺
group. Cf. Weber, Die Vedischen Nachrichten Von den
Naatra II, p. 385 f.n. 4.
A
(18) AV III.12.9; IX.3.23.
(19) These two hymns are employed in the NK also.
(20) These verses which are spread over five kandik盲s are
identical with AVP 1.37-41 and are called in the NK as
nak峁tra-devata mantr盲h. They are employed there for
the nak峁tra-sn盲na-vidhi. As the Vedic Concordance
shows, these verses have no parallels elsewhere.
