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)
414 (of 459)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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and vows are observed with a view to attaining both these
ends. It is stated (23.14.4) that if a person performs the
rites laid down in the Vedas with a particular intention,
.31
that intention will be fulfilled;" and if he performs them
without any desire, he attains liberation. Whatever action
is done by a desireless person is said to lead to emancipation
which is the highest bliss. It is a condition where there is
no fear of grief, disease, death, old age, hunger or thirst,
32 and where the person attains immortality (22.10.5). The
embodied soul is supposed to be in a state of bondage, and
hence the earnest desire of every man is to become freed from
the bondage of the body (1.49.3) so as to escape for ever
from this cycle of life and death. Becoming one with brahman
is evidently the highest philosophical ideal (22.10.5). But
more frequent than the desire for attaining such identity with
the Highest Reality is the desire for attaining heaven, though
the attainment of heaven is generally regarded as being
subservient to the spiritual emancipation. A meritorious
person is said first to enjoy in the company of god Brahm膩
and thereafter to reach Satyaloka from which there is no
return (13.5.6). The Tadag膩di-Vidhi is prescribed for those
33 who wish to recide entenally in the heaven' (39.1.12).
31. AVP 26.3.5 states that a person, desirous of liberation
only, should offer fire-sticks ten fingers in length
and besmered with clarified butter.
32. AVP 13.5.3 states that one can attain amrtatva by giving
away gold.
33. Cf. AVP 40.5.3, 6.14.
