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Vasiştha in the Vedic Samhitās
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are repetitions from RV.11 In the remaining two i.e. AV IV 29.3; XVIII. 1.36; the name of Vasiştha has been mentioned with the Rșis Angiras, Agasti, Jamadagni, Atri, Kaśyapa, Viśvāmitra, Bharadvaja, Gotama etc.
Among the AV hymns attributed to the seer-ship of Vasiştha, AV I.29 is addressed to Brahmaṇaspati for chief's success (rastrabhivardhanam saptanaksayanan ca). It is also called Abhivartamaņi-súkta. The AV III.19 is to help friend against enemies; III.20, 21 are addressed to Agni and other gods for various blessings and III.22 to the gods for splendour (varcas). AV IV.22 is for the success and prosperity of a king (amitra-kşayaņam). AV XX.12. 117 are the hymns borrowed from the seventh Mandala of the RV.
The word Vasistha occurs in the AVP12 also, but is of no significant value.
To sum up, the later Samhitas depict Vasiştha as a great sage. Vasistha should be a Brahman priest. The references to his sons' death and his hostility to Viśvāmitra as well as Jamadagni are also found. There is a clear reference to this hostility in TS III.1.7.3. The charge of HARIAPPA!: that "there is not the slightest suggestion of Vasiştha-Višvāmitra rivalry” can very well be refuted by the above mentioned reference.
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ᎪᏤ AVP HOS KB KS
ABBREVIATIONS Atharvaveda. Atharvaveda Paippalāda. Harvard Oriental Series. Kauşitaki Brahmaņa Kathaka Samhita. Maitrāyaṇi Samhitā. Rgvedic Legends Through the Ages, by H. L. HARIYAPPA Rgveda. Sarvänukramani Tāņd ya Maha Brāhmaṇa Taittiriya Samhita.
MS
RLTA RV Sarva TMB TS
11. RV VII.23.1,6: and 22.3, respectively. 12. AVP 1.38.2; 11.28 4; III.27.6; IV.38.3; V.23.4; VIII. 15.1; X.6.4; 9.2; XI.5.13; XIV
3.23; XV.20.6; XX.10.7; 33.8. . 13. HARIYAPPA, RLTA p. 262.
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