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)
112 (of 459)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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. 103
is worshipped with red flowers and is then offered to a
Brahmana having consecrated it with the mantra: Visasahim
It is stated that a person desirous of being the best among
men should give away a cake in the name of the Sun. Such a
gift is said to bring about health, wealth as well as progeny
and is said to remove the danger of untimely death. It is
stated to lead a man to the highest place, namely, the abode
of the Sun.
9. The Hiranyagarbha-Vidhi
In the Hiranyagarbha-Vidhi (AVP 13) the king is
symbolically identified with the Sun. This ceremony, which is
said to remove all sins, is to be performed in the udagayana,
in the bright fortnight of the months, under an auspicious
constellation, at the time of an eclipse or when a man is
urged by faith, as in the case the Tul膩purusa-Didhi. The v/
king and the priest get shaved and have their nails pared.
The priest churns out the fire before sunset by means of the
aranis of Asvattha, to the accompaniment of the mantras: agne
jayasva 104
etc. The body of the performer is besmeared
with oil as well as perfumes and collyrium is applied to his
eyes. A golden chain is hung around his neck with the
105 mantras: agne岣� praj膩tam ...and yad abadhnan
106 (103) AV XVII.1.1-5
(104) AV XI.1.1-4.
(105) AV XIX.26.1.
(106) AV I.35.1.
