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)
76 (of 459)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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357
this constellation a person desirous of wealth should be
bathed with water to which sandle-paste is added. Thereby
he prospers with wealth and corn (1.45.2). One should give
away in charity a pair of garments under the Sravistha
(1.50.1).
The Satabhisak (鈻� Aquarii)
172 The Satabhisak is the twenty-third constellation
consisting of only one star. It belongs to the seer
173 Dak峁Ｄ亂a峁嘺 and is presided over by Indra and Varuna. Indra
174 and Varuna are praised together in many hymns in the V
They are the universal monarchs (RV I.17.1), make the
channels for waters (1.82.3), vanquish Vrtra (VI.62.2), aid
in battle (IV.4.11), and grant victory (I.17.1). But, out
of them, Varuna is closely related to the Satabhi峁k on
(172) It is popularly known as Satatarak膩 and is supposed
to consist of a hundred stars. See 'Table of
Nak峁tras or asterisms marking the moon's path',
given by Colebrooke, Miscellaneous Essays II, bet. pp.
322 and 323. It is called Satabhisa at AVP 1.2 and
S盲ntikalpa II.5.3 and Satabhisah at MS II.13.20 and
AVP 1.1.
(173) TS IV.4.10 and TB I.5.1.5 mention only Indra while TB
III.1.2.7 mentions only Varuna. ('Tau' is interpreted
by the commentator Madhava as going with Varuna and
the Satabhisak. Cf. TB III.1.1.4.5, 2.10). KS XXXIX.
13 mentions Varuna only.
(174) Cr. AV VII.60.1-2; XIX.10.1.
