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464
HYMNS OF THE ATHARVA-VEDA.
escapes the difficulty by reading pushkaram, 'as a lotus that has grown up in a great lake thus it is torn up by the root. Possibly this is the true solution. Cf. also VI, 127, 2.
0, d. Cf. RV.VII, 59, 12. The Paippalåda, mālam ulvålvo yatha.
Stansa 3. b. Sayana reads susukah, as a wild animal of that name (susuka) runs to a distance. The word is not quotable. The Pet. Lexs., on the other hand, suggest that åsumga is the name of some bird. Neither suggestion commends itself.
0. For the reed that passes away in a year's time, cf. IV, 19, 1. On the other hand reeds grow profusely and quickly, VI, 137, 2. 3. Såyana reads ita for ita.
VI, 16. COMMENTARY TO PAGE 30.
This hymn, full of hocus pocus and singular diction, represents the extreme Atharvanesque manner, and for this reason alone is worth reproducing. All details are exceedingly obscure, and the rather full elaboration of it in the ritual is not very helpful. The commentators agree in regarding it as a charm against ophthalmia (akshirogabhaishagyam); the performances, Kaus. 30, 1-6, are as follows: 1. 'While reciting the hymn (an amulet derived from the mustard-plant), anointed with the dregs of mustard-oil", is fastened to the patient). 2. (And) the stem (of the mustard-plant) smeared with (mustard-oil is also fastened upon him as an amulet). 3. The leaf (of the mustard-plant) mixed (with the oil) is given (to the patient). 4. (Then) four fruits of the såka-tree (tectona grandis) are given (to
1 We would now read sârshapatailasampâtam in accordance with the comments of Dârila, Kesava, and Sâyana. The latter sârshapatailena sampátitam.
* Sâyana, sârshapatailena bhrishtam sarshapapatrasåkam kaksharogagraståya prayakkhet.
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