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)
134 (of 459)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
415
required for the ceremony is stated to be one drone and one
aghaka. The Parisista gives, in this connection, the follow-
ing table of measurements:
5 kṛṣṇalas = 1 māṣaka
64 masakas - 1 pala
32 palas - 1 prastha
4 prasthas = 1 adhaka
4 ädhakas = 1 drona
100 dronas = 1 droṇavara
205 by
The Chrtakambala is started on an auspicious day
kindling a fire at night outside the city and Nirrti is
worshipped at the cross-roads by a person wearing black
garments (as described in SK 2.15). That person then takes
bath, wears white garments and sips sauntyudaka.
Clarified
butter is then offered on the fire with the prescribed
206 mantras . The remnant of this offering is mixed with fourth
portion of the clarified butter with the mantras from the
kṛtyädūṣaṇa, catana, mātṛnāmā, and vastospatya ganas
207 The
(205) Under one of the constellations: the Pusya, the Rohini,
the Mrgasiras, the Sravana, the Revati, Uttara
Phalguni, Uttara Aṣadha and Uttara Prosthapada and on
Barhaspatya or Abhijit muhurta.
(206) They are the maha-vyährtis, gayatri and AV IV.1.1;
Kaus. 97.8; AVPaipp. I.39.1; Kaus. 72.14; RV I.1.1;
SV I.1; AV VII.51.1; XX.17.12.
(207) See AVP 32.2-5.
P
