Part 5 - State of Knowledge in the Atharvaveda-Parisistas

It has already been seen that the Parisistas are familiar with the astrological implications of the various phenomena relating to the Sun, the Moon, the constellations, the planets and the meteors as well as those relating to clouds, lightning, thunder, rain, rainbow, halo, whirlwinds and so on. This presupposes keen observation on the part of the people, for centuries together, of natural phenomena visa-vis the happenings in their own lives. A record of all this was presumably handed down from generation to generation as a valued heritage. It can be clearly seen that the Parisistas presuppose a long astrological tradition. They refer to the opinions of a number of astrologers, such as Atreya (52.16.4), Usanas (52.16.4; 71), Krostuki (50.4.5), Garga (50.4.4; 51.1. 2; 52.16.4; 62.1.1; 70%), Brhaspati (70°), Bhargava (58.1.3; 58 b.1.5; 63.1.3:70) and Saunaka (58.3.11; 62.1.6). They frequently use a number of technical terms but do not care to explain them. For, those terms are taken for granted, the readers being expected to be already familiar with them. We come across the following astrological terms relating to directions: vaisvanara-patha (50.4.1), rajavithi (50.4.2), gajavithi, nagavithi and govithi 79 (50.4.4). The 79. Varahomibira has given two different opinions regarding the inclusion of the twenty-seven constellations in the nine vithis (Brhatsamhita by Varahamihira 9.1-6). The tem rajavithi is not found therein. Probably it is a mistake for ajavithi or gajavithi. According to K.P. Pisharoti and K.R.Menon ("Vastuvidya", Calcutta oriental Journal Vol.1, 1934, pp. 271-82), the following terms represent the directions mentioned against them. govithi: East, gajavithi: North, jalavithi West, yamavithi- South, bhutavithi- South-West, dhanavithi North-West, nagavithi: North-East and Ithi. Raith-Beat

716 positions of the Moon are described by the words nausthayl, langali, uttaronnata, dandasthayi, dandasayi, yupasthayi paravasthayi (tp.4.5-6), avanchirah (50.4.7), ugradandi (50. 6.4) and dhanusthayi (50.6.5). Other astrological terms met with in the Parisistas are vikuksila, sthallpithara-samsthita, vajra-samsthita (50.9.1), svati-sampata (50.9.5), parivrkta (53.2.5), pralamba (53.3.1), chidra, prakirna and mahanaga (53.4.2). The knowledge of the division of the constellations into seven categories, namely, mrdu, dhruva, ugra, ksipra, sadharana, cara and daruna (as given in Santi-Kalpa II.1-5) is seen at 52.15.3. The four kinds of Grahayuddha, namely, arohana, bhedana, lekhana and raamisansarjana are mentioned at 51.2.3 (cf. 53.6.2). The Atharvaveda-Parisistas mention the following muhurtas 80. abhijit (1.5.5; 13.1.9), visvavasu (4.2.2), vijaya (18.2.7, 80. In the astrological samhitas, we find that the day and the night are divided into 15 muhurtas each. The Atharvana Jyotisa (1.5) prescribes a sanku (cone), twelve angulas (fingers) in height, for determing the muhurtas. The shadow of the cone, placed in the Sun, is measured and the following muhurtas are known from the length of the shadow. 1) raudra: 96 fingers, 2) aveta: 60 fingers, 3) maitra: 12 fingers, 4) sarabhata: 6 fingers, 5) savitra: 5 fingers, 6) vairaja: 4 fingers, 7) visvavasu: 3 fingers and 8) abhijit: when the shadow coincides with the base of the cone Cyasmin chava pratisthita). The muhurtas for the latter half of the day are- 9) rauhina: 3 fingers, 10) bala: 4 fingers, 11) vijaya: 5 fingers, 12) nairrta: 6 fingers, 13) varuna: 12 fingers, 14) saumya: 60 fingers and 15) bhaga: 96 fingers.

717 16.1), sveta (18 b.5.1) and barhaspatya (33.1.7). It may be $1 noted that auspicious karanas are prescribed for religious' ceremonies (5.4.2; 72.3.6). A mention is made of the evil positions occupied by the planets (41.3.11), but their precise movements are never referred to. Auspicious naksatras 82 and tithis are prescribed for religious ceremonies but it is noteworthy that week-days 1. e. Sunday, Monday etc. or the Radis, Mesa, Vrabha etc. are not even once mentioned. 83 It appears that people generally had a fair knowledge $1. A month is divided among eleven karanas, namely, 1) bava 2) balava 3) kaulava 4) taitila 5) garaji 6) vani ja 7) visti 8) sakuni 9) catuspada 10) naga and 11) kaustubha (or kimstughna). The last four are ascribed respectively to the fourteenth night in the dark half of the month, the new-moon-day, the new-moon-night and the first day of the brighthalf. The first seven karanas are then successively applied to the remaining days and nights of a month. Thus, for instance, the first karana, namely, bava belongs to, in the bright half, 1) the first night 2) fifth day 3) eighth ninth 4) twelfth day 5) full-moon-night, and in the dark half 6) fourth day 7) seventh night and eleventh day. 82. Atharvaveda-Parisistas 2.5.5; 23.4.2; 31.5.1; 35.1.4; 36.2.1; 72.3.6. See Atharvana Jyotiga 1-3 for muhurta, 4-5 for karana, 6-7 for tithi, 8 for vara and 9-11 for naksatra. 83. The word budha at 71.7.4 possibly refers to Wednesday and the word simhe to the zodiacal sign Liones. It may be noted that the verse is expressly stated to be taken from Sastra samuccaya (Cf. 72.1.3). VE

718 about herbs and plants. We find the following herbs mentioned in the Parisistas in various contexts: Saha, Sahadevi, Bala, Atibala, Madayanti, Vaca, Sveta, Vyaghradanti, Sumangala, Satavari, Jayanti, Satapuspa, Candana, Priyangu, Usira, Amrta, Sarika (5.4.5-2.2), Brhatkanta, Arikantaka, Laghukantarika, Suvarnapuspi, Svetagiri, Karnika, Udisatra, Simhi, Vyaghri, Harini, Ampta, Aparajita, Praniparni, Durva (18.1. 16-17), Bhadradaruna, Kustha, Nalada (18.3.1), Apamarga (18 b.5.1), Tagara and Mansi (35.1.14). 84 The Parisistas occasionally reveal a good knowledge of warfare also. The Naksatra-Kalpa (1.9.4-10.9) gives some hints such as getting reins and saddles prepared, training the horses and elephants, building up an army, preparing the city-gates and arranging for the murder of the enemy. Elsewhere the various parties taking part in a fight are mentioned (51.2.2; 63.4.3, 10); the method of attacking the enemy by blocking his capital is referred to (63.3.1, 4.2); and war-preparations such as fortyfying a fortress with a rampart and weapons are also laid down (62.2.3). It may be, incidentally, pointed out that decimal system of counting was known as is seen from the word dasamsaka (69.8.4). The many occurences of the word citra show a good knowledge of the arts of painting and 85 sculpture. The art of making images has been already noted- 84. The identification of many of these plants is found in G.P.Majumdar, "Botany in India - Past and Present", Cultural Heritage of India (Ramakrishna Centenary), Calcutta 1937. 85. Cf. Atharvaveda-Parisistas 70 b.7.20; 70°.30.1;71.1.4, 11.5; 12.3,4.

719 above. The Parisistas show an extended knowledge of geography. They know the Indian sub-continent from the Himalaya mountains in the north (56.1.9) to the eastern ocean (56.1.3) as well as the southern and western oceans (50.2.1). They mention even Simhala (Ceylon) and the city Lanka (56.1.5). They mention the rivers Yamuna (40.4.4), Sarasvati, Ganga (41.2.4) and Satadru (56.1.9), the places Gaya, Naimiga (42.2.4), Kasi, Nagapura and Pataliputra (56.1.2) as well as Nasikya (56.1.6). They are acquainted with the mountains Sahya (56.1.6), Mainaka (56.1.9) and Pariyatraka (56.1.2). Following are the tribes and regions mentioned in the Parisistas: 86 Angas: 1.8.5;51.4.4;56.1.3 Aparantas: 50.2.3 Ambasthas: 56.1.3 Avadhumamarkatas (?):1.7.10 Ahichattra: 56.1.2 Ahinaras: 1.8.6 Anartas: 56.1.7 Andhras: 1.7.7;50.1.6 Avantyakas: 50.3.3; 51.1.3; Avrtas: 1.8.8 Ikavakus: 1.7.6,9 Ucchusmas: 1.7.10 Usinaras: 50.2.4 Audumbaras: 56.1.10 Karmanoyami (?): 56.1.6 Kalingas: 1.6.2;51.1.3;56.1.2,3 Kantis: 56.1.5 Kamarupa: 56.1.10 Kambojas: 1.7.10; 50.2.4; 57.2.5 Kalamrsas: 1.7.10 Kaanras: 50.2.2; 56.1.9. 86. For a similar topographical list from the Brhatsamhita by Varahamihira , see J.F. Fleet, Indian Antiquary XXII (1892), pp. 165-95; and for that of Bhagavata Purana , see J.E.Abbott, Indian Antiquary XXVIII (1899), pp.1-6. Cf. B.C.Law, Tribes in ancient India (Poona 1943).

KIkatas: 1.8.9 Kunkunas: 56.1.6 Kuntis: 1.8.6 UD 720 Nanvaras: 56.1.8 WEDEN BON Kurus: 1.8.4; 50.2.4; 56.1.2 Kaikayas: 1.7.1; 56.1.10 Narkavindas: 1.8.2 Narvidalas: 1.8.2 Naisadhas: 1.8.2 Pancanada: 50.3.5 Pancalas: 1.8.1 Kaisikas: 1.6.9; 50.1.5 Kausalas: 1.8.9; 56.2.2,4 Puramga: 56.1.8 Kausambi: 56.1.2 Purvapadas: 1.6.6 Krandas: 1.7*10 Barbaratiras: 56.1.5 Ksudrakas: 50.2.5 Khasas: 56.1.4 Gavasa: 56.1.3 Gadhas: 51.5.3 Gandharas: 56.1.4; 57.2.5 Girisrnga: 51.1.4 Godhas: 50.2.4 Cakoras: 56.1.5 Cedis: 1.7.2; 51.5.1 Tamaliptas: 56.1.4 Tukharas: 51.1.3 Tosalas: 56.1.4 Traigartas: 51.4.1:53.3.1:56. 1.8 Daradas: 50.2.2 Darvas: 50.2.2 Dravidas: 50.1.5; 56.1.5 Narmada: 56.1.6 Nasrngavas: 1.8.2 Balhikas: 1.7.8; 50.2.4; 51.3.3:56.1.8;57.2.5 Brahmavarta: 56.1.9 Bhadrakas: 50.2.4; 56.1.4 Bharatas: 50.1.6 Bhimarathas: 56.1.5 Bhrgukaccha: 56.1.6 Magadha: 51.1.3; 56.1.3 Matsyas: 1.7.2,7; 50.2.5; 56.1.5,8 Mathura: 56.1.8 Madrakas: 1.7.1; 50.1.5,2.4; 56.1.4; 57.2.5 Madhya (desa); 50.2.4 Malayaka: 51.1.4 Maharastra: 51.1.4 Mahi: 56.1.6 Mahendra: 56.1.3 Magadhas: 1.7.2,7; 50.3.3; 51.4.4 Malavas: 50.2.5; 56.1.7 Mithila: 56.1.2

721 Mekala: 56.1.2 Mlecchas: 50.2.5 Yanatas (?): 56.1.700 Yayavaras: 50.2.2 Yavanas: 50.2.4; 51.1.3,3.3; 56.1.5; 57.2.5 Ramarastraka: 56.1.7 Vangas: 1.7.7; 51.4.4;56.1.3 Sabaras: 51.5.1 Satadris: 1.6.9 Salvas: 50.2.2,4 Surasenas: 50.2.2; 51.8.4 Sajjanapura: 56.1.4 Samatata: 56.1.4 Saketa: 56.1.2 Vardhamanaka: 56.1.4 Valayas: 56.1.5 Vaneyas: 50.2.5 Vidarbha: 50.1.5; 56.1.5 Virajas: 50.2.2 Venatata: 56.1.4 Vaijayanti: 56.1.6 Sakas: 50.1.6;51.3.3:57.2.5 Sarasvatas: 56.1.8 Simsakas: 50.2.5 Simhalas: 56.1.5 Sindhusauviras: 50.2.5;56.1.7 Sunvantas: 1.8.3 Saindhavas: 51.1.4 Saurastra: 50.2.5; 51.1.4:56.1.7