Essay name: Goddesses from the Samhitas to the Sutras
Author:
Rajeshri Goswami
Affiliation: Jadavpur University / Department of Sanskrit
This essay studies the Goddesses from the Samhitas to the Sutras. In short, this thesis examines Vedic goddesses by analyzing their images, functions, and social positions. It further details how natural and abstract elements were personified as goddesses, whose characteristics evolved with societal changes.
Chapter 2
99 (of 112)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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261
that is, on the second day after the pavitra (intreductory)
rite, five offerings are made to Anumati, Nirrti and others.
The offering is made first to Nir峁泃i to avoid any trouble or
impediment.
men*. because
The done and the owl are birds of 111 omen *?
they are considered to be the messengers of Nirrti. Nirrti's
18 mouth is equated with a crow, and therefore any part of the body
touched or injured by a crow portends bad luck. She is the
presiding deity over the Mila constellation.
A child born in
the Mila constellation is ominous to its parents.
In Vedic literature, she is not an ugly demoness, but a
19 charming and luminous divinity with a winsome visage. She is
20 possessed of golden hair, golden complexion, and has a golden
21 crown, and she rests on a golden couch All these give an aura
22 of sharp-edged brilliance to her elegant looks.
In the SB, Nir峁泃i is equated with the earth. The
worshippers hail her as earth with their glad voices and she is
23 A reference may be noted in this
known as Nir峁泃i everywhere.
connection : "
17 RV X.165.1鈥�4.
18 AV VI.29.2.
19 AV V.7.10.
20 AV V.7.9.
21 AV V.7.10.
22 VS XII.63.
23 VS XII.64, 艢B III.5.2.3.
