A History of Indian Literature v1.c8.s3.116

v1.c8.s3.116

Among the later parts of the Saṃhitā are also the songs and charms composed for sacrificial purposes, which probably were included in the Atharvaveda only in order that the latter, like the other three Vedas, might be brought into connection with the sacrifice and be recognised as a real "Veda." Thus, for example, we find two Āprī¹ hymns and other songs corresponding to the sacrificial chants of the Ṛgveda. Prose formulæ, too, which correspond to those of the Yajurveda, are to be found, for example, in Book XVI, the entire first half of which consists of formulæ in which water is glorified, and which refer to some purification-ritual or other. Book XVIII, which contains the prayers pertaining to the death ritual and to ancestor-worship, should be included among this class of hymns. The funeral songs of Book X of the Ṛgveda,² recur here literally, though they are increased by many additions. Also Book XX, which was added quite late, and the hymns of which, with few exceptions, are all borrowed from the Ṛgveda, is related to the soma-sacrifice. The only new hymns in this book are the very curious “Kuntāpa hymns,”¹ Ath., XX, 127-136. They, too, form part of the sacrificial ritual as liturgies, while in content they coincide partly with the Dānastutis of the Ṛgveda,² by praising the liberality of certain princes; partly they are riddles and their solutions,³ but partly also obscene songs and coarse jokes. At certain sacrifices, which lasted for many days, hymns of this kind constituted the prescribed conversation of the priests.⁴