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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)

Page:

251 (of 459)


External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)


Download the PDF file of the original publication


Warning! Page nr. 251 has not been proofread.

533
rice-flour. It should be taken to a cross-road and the
spell (36.1.12) should be recited over it a thousand and eight
times. It should then be cut into eight parts, and thus he
should be made submissive by means of mere mantras.
Otherwise,
a thousand and eight offerings should be made for the same
effect. To subdue a Brahmana lady, the effigy is to be made
of (the flour of) black gram (maṣa) (36.5.1-3). It is also
laid down that an image of the enemy should be prepared, a
spear should be pierced into its neck and it should be heated
over Khadira fire, reciting the Savitri mantra in the reverse
order. This should be continued day after day till the
enemy becomes submissive. If the image perishes, the enemy
is verily destroyed (31.9.4-5).
Instead of preparing an effigy, the name of the enemy
is sometimes written and is pierced with the nail of the
41. The method of reciting the Gayatri mantra in the reverse
order is explained in AVP 34. It is laid down therein
that only the syllables are to be reversed and not the
accents. The first ya which is svarita is to be made
udatta. (This is presumably on account of the rule:
anudattam tu padadau na vidyate padam). The reversed
Gayatri is said to be of red colour and is declared to
have been taught by Yama for destroying all enemies
and for attaining success in all activities. The
pratiloma Gayatri is presided cover by Mrtyu and its
metre is said to be nichanna. According to the rules given,
the mantra would read as follows:
1 त्याचा यायो �
[tyācā yāyo |
]
13: T T fal
हिमधी स्� � दे� ये णी रेवं तु वि त्� � ( व्) ।।
[himadhī sya va dema ye ṇ� reva� tu vi tsa ta ( v) ||
]

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