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346
HYMNS OF THE ATHARVA-VEDA.
d. For ni tanotu, cf. AV. VII, 90, 3 ; VII, 31, 3, and the plant nitatní, used to prevent the falling out of hair at AV. VI, 136, 1. Sayana, nitaram karotu.
Stansa 5.
8. The words mânasya patni are addressed directly to the house (sala), as may be gathered from IX, 3, 21; the house, after it is erected, is deified, since the weal or woe of its inhabitants are now dependent upon its behaviour. Sayana, mânanîyasya vâstupateh patni, 'O wife of Vástupati who is to be honoured ?!' Grill's etymological combinations are superfluous; his comparison of Zend nmâno-pathni and nmânô-paiti (Gâthic, demâna) contrary to phonetic law. Ludwig and Weber, "herrin des maasses; 'Ludwig at IX, 3,5 ff. (Der Rigveda, III, pp. 464-5), herrin des verweilens;' Zimmer and Hillebrandt,'genie des baues;' Grill,'hort der rast.'
b. Sayana reads nirmità for nimitâ.
Stanza 6. a, b. The expression a roha,'ascend,'harbours two double ententes, borrowed from other well-known events in life. First, sexual connection, in a manner similar to the union of the two sticks with which fire is churned (see e.g. VI, 11, 1, and cf. III, 6, 1); secondly, the various acts of ascending which form parts of the consecration of a king, the rågasuya (cf. Kaus. 17, 3. 9; AV. IV, 8). The rule of the king is indicated clearly in the next Pada (cf. AV. I, 10, 1), and in the anointing of the post, prescribed at Kaus. 43, 10. The word virágan in Pâda b, which we have rendered ruling,' again suggests the alternate meaning, shining;' cf. 'the shining roof' in AV. III, 7, 3. The vamsa is a very important part of the house ; sometimes it splits, and elaborate performances are prescribed in Kaus. 135 to meet that misfortune.
Still worse is the alternate interpretation, mîyamânam dhânyâdikam mânam tasya patni pålayitri.
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