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)
215 (of 459)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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497
invoked with Rudra-savitri: tat purusava vidmahe... which is
given in full and also with yo agnau rudrah...
192 He should
be glorified as being of tawny colour and as having a lotus-
like face. His chariot is said to be drawn by lions and
tigers of terrible faces. Incense should then be burnt before
the image with the mantra: na tam yakam膩. and offerings
193 194
of barley and clarified butter should be made into the fire
with the prescribed formulas vayave svaha etc. The offerings
to the female deities (patnis) should be made silently.
Oblations should be offered with the mantra: Vratena tvam...
195 and with the five verses beginning with ubhayIruham.
the end of the homa, the ashes from the sacred fire should
be applied to the body.
At
This Parisista speaks very highly of the ashes from the
fire into which the oblations have been offered. These ashes,
with which Rudra, Vismu, goddess Uma, Sarva, Siva, Sankara,
196 Mahe艣vara and all his attendants are said to have been
'bathed', are to be applied to the body and this is consider-
ed to be as holy as taking a bath in the Ganga and the Yamuna
192. AV VII.87.1. It is laid down (40.2.7) that the verse
should be recited up to namo astu (thus dropping the
last word agnave).
193. AV XIX.38.1.
194. AV VII.74.4.
195. Cf. AVPaipp. I.37.1: ubhayiraham ayata
196. It may be noted in this connection that AV XV.V mentions
the following names of Siva: Bhava, Sarva, Pasupati,
Ugra, Rudra, Mahadeva and Isana.
