Atharva-Veda Samhita/Book I/Hymn 15

15. With an oblation: for confluence of wealth.

[Atharvan.—sāindhavam. ānuṣṭubham: 2. bhurikpathyāpan̄kti.]

Found in Pāipp. i. (in the verse-order 1, 4, 3, 2). Used by Kāuç. only in a general rite for prosperity (19. 4), to accompany a douche for persons bringing water from two navigable streams and partaking of a dish of mixed grain; it is also reckoned (19. 1, note) to the puṣṭika mantras, or hymns bringing prosperity.

Translated: Weber, iv. 409; Ludwig, p. 371; Griffith, i. 19.

1. Together, together let the rivers flow, together the winds, together the birds (patatrín); this my sacrifice let them enjoy of old; I offer with a confluent (saṁsrāvyà) oblation.

The verse is nearly identical with xix. 1. 1, and in less degree with ii. 26. 3. From xix. 1. 3 c it may be conjectured that we should read pradíças in c. ⌊If we do read pradívas, why not render it by 'continually'?⌋ Ppp. has not the second half-verse, but instead of it vs. 3 c, d. For b Ppp. gives saṁ vātā divyā uta. The comm. accents sáṁ-sam in a. There is perhaps some technical meaning in saṁsrāvyà. 'confluent' or 'for confluence' which we do not appreciate, but it is also unknown to the comm., who explains the word only etymologically. The verse is an āstārapan̄kti (strictly virāj: 8 + 8: 11 + 11 = 38), and its definition as such is perhaps dropped out of the Anukr. text (which reads ādyā dvitīyā bhurik etc.).

2. Come straight hither to my call, hither ye confluents also; increase this man, ye songs; let every beast (paçú) there is come hither; let what wealth (rayí) there is stay (sthā) with him.

The pada-mss. all give yā́ḥ in e. Ppp. has in a, b idaṁ havyā ttpetane 'daṁ, and, for c, asya vardhayato rayim. The last pāda is nearly RV. x. 19. 3 d. ⌊Render 'with this man let' etc.⌋ The omission of evá in a would make the verse regular.

3. What fountains of the streams flow together, ever unexhausted, with all those confluences we make riches (dhána) flow together for me.

Ppp. has in a, b ye nadībhyas saṁsravanty ucchāmas saram akṣikā. The comm. gives the verse twice, each time with a separate explanation.

4. What [fountains] of butter (sarpís) flow together, and of milk, and of water, with all those confluences we make riches flow together for me.

Ppp. reads saṁsrāvās for sarpiṣas in a. The comm. supphes first avayavās as omitted subject in the verse, but afterwards utsāsas from vs. 3, which is of course right.