________________
502
HYMNS OF THE ATHARVA-VEDA.
mantra. No ceremony of this sort is found in the Grihyasûtras (cf. Paraskara, 1, 13), and the word parihastá seems to occur here alone (cf. parihátaka in the Pet. Lex.). The hymn has been rendered by Ludwig, Der Rigveda, III, 477 ; Weber, Indische Studien, V, 239. Cf. also Bergaigne et Henry, Manuel Védique, p. 153.
Stanza 2. The second hemistich is exceedingly obscure: máryåde seems to be the vocative of maryáda, and our rendering is a pis-aller. The idea of 'limit' may refer to the confinement within the womb; cf. Sayana in the foot-note. The Pet. Lex., simply,' designation of an amulet.' If it could be construed as a locative singular masculine? (maryade for máryâde; cf. V, 1, 8) it might be translated within proper limits of time;' cf. shanmasamâryâdayâ, within six months,' Brihat-samhità 4, 24. The sense would then be that the child shall be born within ten months; see Pår. Grih. I, 16, 1; Sankh. Grih. I, 19, 6; Hir. Grih. I, 25, 1; II, 2, 5. Again, agame is not at all clear; it may possibly refer to the circular shape of the bracelet,' that comes back upon itself.'
Stanga 3. Aditi is the typical mother that desires a son; cf. RV. X, 72, 8; AV. VIII, 9, 21; Maitr. S. II, 1, 12; Sat. Br. III, 1, 3, 2. Nowhere else have we met with the statement that her desire was promoted by a bracelet furnished by Tvashtar. The latter, however, fashions the embryo in the womb; cf. Ludwig, l. c., p. 334.
VI, 82. COMMENTARY TO PAGE 95. In the Kausika the hymn is employed in a twofold manner. At 59, 11 a person who desires a wife sacrifices and
· Cf. Sâyana, maryâde maryâh maranadharmano manushyah tair âdîyâmâne svotpattyartham svîkriyamâne sthâne garbhâsaye he gâye tvam putram â dhehi, i. e. O woman, place a son into thy womb, the place appropriated by men for reproducing themselves!'
Digized by Google
