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352
HYMNS OF THE ATHARVA-VEDA.
makshikâ has good support in the literature. At Tait. S. V, 5, 12, 1; Maitr. S. III, 14, 13 ; Våg. S. XXIV, 32 the word occurs in connection with other animals (Mahidhara, sakunti ; Madhava, sakå makshike-ty eke, dirgha-karno mrigavisesha ity apare), and as the word is preceded or followed there by suka, 'parrot,' and såri (see the note on st. 5), there is no doubt but what Sayana has hit the point. I should not be surprised to find the sakå identical with the krisa, mentioned at Kaus. 10, 2, along with suka and sârika. Cf. also Tait. S. V, 5, 18, 1, and commentary. Grill suggests an improbable remedy, såkeva = såka(m) iva or såka iva,ʻlike vegetables' (cf. German, 'wie's unkraut).
Stanza 5. b. sárisákeva (Padap. sârisáka iva) is doubtful. Sayana, helplessly, kshanena sahasraso sbhivardhamanah praniviseshåh; the suggestion seems incredible even from Sayana. sâri (=sári, sârikå, and sårikå) is a certain bird which, like the parrot (suka), imitates the human voice ; see Tait. S. V, 5, 12, 1; Maitr. S. III, 14, 14; Vâg. S. XXIV, 33. It appears there in connection with suka,' parrot,' and sakà (cf. st. 4). It seems hardly possible that our passage does not harbour these very two words, and accordingly I have emended to sârisukeva (=sârisukåh iva, with double sandhi). Cf. also Kaus. 10, 2. The translators have again endeavoured to find sakrit, saknas in the second part of the word. For further suggestions, all of which seem to me to be silenced by the considerations advanced in this and the preceding notes, see Grill, 1. c.
III, 15. COMMENTARY TO PAGE 148. The Sūtra rubricates the hymn in various non-significant practices. At Kaus. 50, 12 the merchant, while reciting the hymn, sets up (or, loads up) his ware (or, his shop), after it has been anointed with the dregs of ghee. At 59, 6 the person who desires merchandise recites the hymn. Cf. Gobh. IV, 8, 19 ff.; Khad. IV, 3, 7. The hymn is also
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