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VI, 92. COMMENTARY.
507
VI, 91.
COMMENTARY TO PAGE 40.
The supposed etymology of yáva, 'barley,' from root yu, 'ward off,' is a fruitful source for the application of barley in charms to cure disease and ward off demons. See the introduction to II, 7. The present hymn consists of three loosely connected stanzas (st. 2 = RV. X, 60, 11; st. 3=III, 7,5; RV. X, 137, 6), in praise of the barley and the waters; the liturgical texts and the collateral practices define it as a cure for all diseases (sarvabhaishagyam). Kausika's rite (28, 17-20) avails itself of these indications, to wit: 17. 'While reciting V, 9 and VI, 91 four portions of the dregs of ghee are poured into a pail of water. 18. Two (portions) are poured upon the earth (cf. V, 9, 2. 6. 7). 19. These two are gathered up again (into the afore-mentioned pail of water) and (the patient) is washed off with (the resulting mixture). 20. (And putting dregs of ghee into a pail full of barley 1) an amulet of barley 2 is fastened (to the patient) while pronouncing the second of the two hymns (VI, 91).'
The hymn is rubricated also in the takmanâsanagana, Ath. Paris. 32, 7 (see Kaus. 26, 1, note); the Anukramanî, yakshmanâsanadevatyam. It has been translated by Grill, pp. 14, 168.
Stanza 1.
Cf. Zimmer, p. 237. vyaye (in relation to yáva) hazily satisfies the inordinate craving of the Atharvanist for puns. One wonders why yâvayâmi is not worked in instead (cf. the introduction to II, 7).
VI, 92. COMMENTARY TO PAGE 145.
The materials from which this hymn is compounded are, apparently, not original with the Atharvanist. St. 3 occurs with variants at RV. X, 56, 2; sts. 1, 2 in the writings of
1 sayave. Kesava, yavasahite udapâtre. The passage is not excerpted in our edition.
* Cf. Kaus. 19, 27 in the introduction to VI, 142.
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