The Markandeya Purana (Study)
by Chandamita Bhattacharya | 2021 | 67,501 words
This page relates ‘Superstitions Related to Crops’ of the study on the Markandeya Purana, one of the oldest of the eigtheen Mahapuranas preserving the history, civilisation, culture and traditions of ancient India. The Markandeyapurana commences with the questions raised by Rishi Jaimini (a pupil of Vyasa), who approaches the sage Markandeya with doubts related to the Mahabharata. This study examines various social topics such as the status of women, modes of worship, yoga, etc.
Superstitions Related to Crops
Sasyahan—
Sasyahan is the crop destroyer[1] who destroys the growth of the crops. For the remedy against this evil spirit one should walk on the left side of field wearing of worn out shoes and causing a caṇḍāla to enter in the field on offering bali at the outside and praising the soma juice or somāṃbu.[2]
Kṣudraka—
The evil spirit Kṣudraka is connected with the growth of crops. When Kṣudraka gains a weak place he injures the growth of the crops. For remedy a man should worship the moon and then carry out his undertaking and sow his seeds in gladness and contentment with a companion.[3]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
F. E. Pargiter, The Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa, p. 223
[2]:
[3]:
Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa, 48.82-85 a