Upabrmhana and Rgveda Interpretation

Author(s): T G Manikar
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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The Hymn of Agastya and Lopamudra (I. 179)
puts it and prito maithunāya ajuhava tam' as the Epic puts it, agree in assigning the initiative to Agastya. As I see it, the logical conclusion of such a position would be to assign the opening verses of the conversation to the sage. There is nothing in the hymn as it stands, to indicate the declaration of the innocence of the Brahmacārin by Agastya and Lopāmudra which the Brhaddevatā describes, The Anukramanikā also brings in this Brahmacārin. The Epic however makes no mention of this Brahmacärin The hymn also would in its 'agastyaḥ prajam apatyam balam icchamanah' (6) appear to depict the sage as having the desires and the initiative.
All this discussion will incidentally indicate that the view of Von Schroeder that this hymn refers to an old ritual for ensuring the fertility of the fields when the corn has been cut and that in this hymn Lopamudrā means that which has the seal (mudra) of disappearance (lopa) upon it is something which cannot be accepted. If the root 'mud' refers to joy of the couple, for we have 'anyena mat pramudah kal payasva' (X.10.12) and 'strībhiḥ saha modamanah (Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa XIV. 7.1.14). then at best Lopamudrā might suggest a lady under a vow renouncing the joy of married life' - a sense that is very much suggested by the Mahābhārata. It is difficult to say whether it was a ritual drama, or a literary drama that is reflected in this interesting hymn. What can safely be asserted that here we have a compact neat finished product of Vedic poetical art, dealing with homan desires and with human love, with the desire of man for the pleasure of the body, for material pleasure and his innate will for a pure and holy life. The hymn in its own way suggests the very desirable combination of the two kinds of life, the asceticism and of the common man, a harmonious combinations of the ends of human life, with a view to realising them all. "ugrah ubhau varnau puposa' can be, as a matter fact, taken to be the earliest reference to the concept of the puruşarthas'. This hymn then so far as I see, is a perfact Rgvedic song dealing with the popular theme of asceticism and householder's life and I proceed to translate and expiain it.
RV.1.179. Text, Translation, Notes. Rși : Agastya Maitrāvaruņi; Deity : Rati, Metre : Tristup; 5 Bịhati. pūrviraham saradaḥ śaśramūnā doşā vastoruşaso jarayantih / minati śriyam jarima tanünümapyū nu patnirvşşano jagamyuh // 1
I have been through all these autumns past, toiling nights and days and through age-inducing dawns. Old age is harming the glory of the limbs. Will not then now, husbands be united with the wives ?
('aham' according to Sāyaṇa and many indicates Lopamudrā, but I take it as standing for Agastya whom I regard to be the speaker here. Sāyana