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)
229 (of 255)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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very practical purpose, namely, the copying out of the AV-
samhita. It also mentions the numbers of rks or avasanas
in a sukta, the number of suktas in an anuvaka and the
mumber of amuv膩k膩s in a kanda. The scribes could very well
minimise their labour, without causing any ambiguity, by
following its rules and could know where the text is to be
divided and how the k盲ndas, anuv膩k膩s, suktas etc. are to be
numbered. The Panca patalika lays down very carefully all
the rules regarding these matters; so that there is no chance
of corruption. Thus the Pa帽capatalika has served the useful
purpose of preserving the text of the AV-samhita.
