z:\ ambedkar\vol 04\vol4 05.indd MK SJ DK YS 23 9 2013/YS 8 11 2013 239
APPENDIX I
239
The Atharva-Veda incorporates the Purusha Sukta. But the order of the verses varies from the order in which they stand in the Rig-Veda. But like the Vajaseniya Sanhita and the Taitterriya Sanhita of the Yajur-Veda the Atharva is not content with the Purusha Sukta. It offers other explanations. They are not as complete and as universal as the Purusha Sukta but they are special to it [1] :
“The Brahman was born the first, with ten heads and ten faces. He first drank the soma; he made poison powerless”.
“The Gods were afraid of the Rajanya when he was in the womb. They bound him with bonds when he was in the womb. Consequently this Rajanya is born bound. If he were unborn unbound he would go on slaying his enemies. In regard to whatever Rajanya any one desires that he should be born unbound, and should go on slaying his enemies, let him offer for him this Aindra-Birhaspatya oblation. A Rajanya has the character of Indra, and a Brahman is Brihaspati. It is through the Brahman that any one releases the Rajanya from his bond. The golden bond, a gift, manifestly releases from the bond that fetters him.”
Purusha as the origin of the four Varnas is not the only explanation of the origin of the Varna system that is to be found in the Vedas. There is another explanation. It speaks of people being descended from Manu and is to be found referred to in the following passages [2] :
“Prayers and hymns were formerly congregated in the Indra, in the ceremony which Atharvan, father Manu, and Dadhyanch celebrated”.
Whatever prosperity or succour father Manu obtained by sacrifices, may we gain all that under thy guidance, o Rudra.”
“Those pure remedies of yours, O Maruts, those which are-most auspicious, ye vigorous gods, those which are beneficient, those which our father Manu chose, those, and the blessing and succour of Rudra, I desire.”
“That ancient friend hath been equipped with the powers of the mighty (gods). Father Manu has prepared hymns to him, as portals of success to the gods.”
“Sacrifice is Manu, our protecting father.”
“Do ye (gods) deliver, protect, and intercede for us; do not lead us far away from the paternal path of Manu.”
“He (Agni) who abides among the offspring of Manu as the invoker (of the gods), is even the lord of these riches.”
“Agni, together with the gods, and the children of Manush, celebrating a multiform sacrifice with hymns etc.”
1 Muir’s Sanskrit Texts Vol. I. p. 21-22.
2 Ibid., pp. 162-165.