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)
115 (of 459)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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elephants (or bulls). It has only one wheel, thus represent-
ing the chariot of the Sun.
Oblations are offered with the formulas savitre svah膩
etc. and with the mantra: arnim brumo
113.
The remnants
of the offering are mixed with water with the mantra:
hastivarcasam prathat膩m
114 and the water is sprinkled on
the chariot and the elephants. The elephants are yoked to
115 the chariot with the verse asr盲ntasya tv盲 .!!5 which is given
in full and the chariot is then given away to the priest.
It is stated at the end of this Parisista that a person who
makes such a gift goes to the world of the Sun.
11. The Asvarathadana-Vidhi
This ceremony (AVP 15) is similar to the one described
above. Here, a chariot drawn by horses is given away to the
priest. The Asvarathadana-Vidhi is performed at a holy place
like the cow-pen or near a river, lake, etc. Oblations are
offered on the fire and the remnants of those oblations mixed
with water are sprinkled on the horses with the mantra:
(114) AV III.22.1.
(115) AV XIX.25.1. In this connection the Parisista states
that a maha-dana consists of giving away one of the ten
objects: gold, sesame, cows, maid-servant, house, land,
chariot, daughter, elephant and learning. It further
adds that while making these gifts, oblations of clarifi-
ed butter should be offered with this hymn (XIX.25).
