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512
HYMNS OF THE ATHARVA-VEDA.
The hymn has been translated by Ludwig, Der Rigveda, III, 511 (cf. also pp. 343, 507). See also Bergaigne et Henry, Manuel Védique, p. 153.
Stanza 1. c. The Pet. Lex. suggests three rivers named Sarasvati, or perhaps simply three rivers in general. But some personified group of divinities is more likely to be in the mind of the writer, probably three of the Apri divinities, Sarasvatî, Ida, Bharati. This conclusion was arrived at before inspecting Sâyana, who has, sarasvatyas trayîrûpâh', yad vâ idà sarasvati bhârati. See Oldenberg, Die Religion des Veda, p. 243.
Stansa 2. The vulgate erroneously emends upagîka(h) of the MSS. to upagika(k); cf. 'Seven Hymns &c.,' p. 483 (18 of the reprint). Såyana manipulates the text still further : he devâh vah yushmäkam sambandhinyah upagikâh ... nirudake sthâne ... udakam ... aksharayan.
VI, 102. COMMENTARY TO PAGE 101. For the practices connected with this hymn, see the introduction to II, 30, above. The rites of Kausika (35, 21) seek especially to realise in practice the similes of this hymn (sts. 2, 3). The Anukramani designates it as åsvinam, spoken by one who is abhisammanaskamah. It has been translated by Weber, Ind. Stud. V, 243 ff.; Grillo, pp. 54, 169 ff.
Stanga 1. The comparison seems to be derived from the practices in ploughing. Cf. RV. IV, 57, 4. 8; AV. III, 17, 5. 6. The Asvins play a part in agriculture; see RV. I, 117, 21.
Stanza 2. a, b. Both râgåsváh and prishtyam are problematic. Såyana, yathå asvasreshthah prishtyâm sankubaddhâm
Cf. Oldenberg, Zeitschr. d. Deutsch. Morgenl. Gesellsch. XXXIX, 54 ff.
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