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)
43 (of 459)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
324
Rohini, the lakes dry up, the rivers go out of their courses,
people, animals and beasts are tormented and the emperor
ceases to be (1.6.4-5). The BS (15.2) states that people
observing vows, objects for sale, kings, masters, yogins,
cart-drivers, cows, bulls, aquatic animals, farmers, mountains
and rich people are under the control of the Rohini. It is
stated that the duration of a disease produced under this
constellation is twenty nights (1.33.3).
A king should get reins and saddles prepared under
the Rohini. He should remain quiet (and should not attack
1.9.6). One should eat the flesh of a bull under this
constellation and set out towards the east to attain success
(1.27.2). Under this constellation, a Vaisya, after being
decorated by means of all kinds of seeds, should be bathed
with water in which are put rice mixed with kumkuma (aká¹£ata).
Thereby he will prosper (1.43.2). It is stated that under
the Rohini one should give away whole masas (black gram),
boiled rice mixed with clarified butter, milk, food and
drink. Thereby he will remain uninjured in the abode of
Yama (1.48.1).
A story goes that Prajapati created the beings one of
92 which was the Rohini He was impressed by her beauty and
ran after her with an incestuous desire, but was shot by
Rudra 93.
94 About this myth Whitney' says that, in it, there
(92) TB III.1.4.2.
(93) AB III.33.
(94) "The lunar zodiac", OLS II, p. 405.
