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)
5 (of 255)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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32
The name Bhesaja shows that the AV charms possess
medicinal potencies and can be effectively used against
maladies. It may be noted in this connection that Ayurveda
is said to be the upaveda of the AV by Caranavyuha (AVP
49.1.3). The fourth adhyaya of the Kaus. lays down the use
of various charms, with water and certain herbs, in the
treatment of diseases like diaohrrea, cough, jaundice,
fevers, hereditary diseases and so on. This mode of opera-
tion of medicine was what was considered a prabhava by Caraka
and Su艣ruta. 21
The name Brahma-veda presupposes several distinct
currents of thought. On account of the peculiar, unsophisticated
and non-hierarchical character of its contents the AV was
originally not given official recognition by the hierarchical
priests. A strong reaction began to develop against this
priestly attitude and as the result of it the sponsors of
the AV went to the other extreme and claimed that the AV
was to be recognised not as just one of the four Vedas but
as a Veda which comprehended the other three Vedas and
claimed that the AV was to be recognised not as just one of
the four Vedas but as a Veda which comprehended the other
22 three Vedas and was thus identical with sarva-vidya. The
other Vedas were finite and limited in scope, but this
(21) Dasgupta, Hist. of Ind. Philo., Vol. II, p.364.
(22) Cf. GB I.2.18:
啶溹啶� 啶� 啶掂 啶掂た啶︵啶掂ぞ啶ㄠ 啶膏ぐ啷嵿さ啶掂た啶︵ 啶啶班す啷嵿ぎ啶�
啶う啷� 啶啶粪啶掂う啷嵿さ啶苦ざ啷� 啶掂た啶︵啷� [jai峁 ha vai vidv膩n sarvavid brahm膩
yad p峁涐梗vadvi艣e vid| ] and I. 4. 11: 啶く啶� 啶膏ぐ啷嵿さ啶
[mayi sarvam
]
