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)
178 (of 459)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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459
Kaus. 80.35 and are employed by Kaus. 82.31, 83.20, 84.13
and Vait. 38.23.
26) abhigeka-gana: This gana, also called
rajyabhiseka-gana (BA 1.3) consists of only one hymn: AV
IV.8. It is used while coronating a king (Kaus.17.1) and in
the Ghrtakambala (33.6.12) 57.
27) amholinga-gana: This is comparatively a large
gana consisting of the following mantras: AV I.31.2; IV.
23-29; VI.96.1; 35.2; VII.112.1; X.5.22 and XI.6 omitting
from this last hymn the verses 7,9,22 and 23. It may be
noted that all the mantras included in this gana have a prayer
for the release from sin (amhas). This gana also known as
ghrtalinga is said to represent the mouth of the Ghrtakambala
and is used in that ceremony for offering oblations (33.1.9,
6.2). It is employed also in the Hiranyagarbha-Vidhi (13.2.6)
and in the Veda-Vrata (46.7.3).
It can be seen from the above that some of the mantras
are included in more than one gana. AV I.1.1, for instance,
is employed in the two varcasya-ganas and in the vi艣vakarma-
gana; VII.79.1 is employed in svastyayana and abhaya ganas,
III.27.1 is employed in rudra, raudra and citra ganas etc.
57. The Bhumidana (10.1.1) prescribes atisrsto apam
(AV XVI.1.1) for sprinkling the donor.
