Atharvaveda XIII 2, 2

抄録

The paper focuses on the opening pada in the Atharvaveda-Samhita of the Saunakiya recension (AVS) XIII 2, 2. Former studies see the word form of prajñánam as a problem. Whitney notes (following PW and Henry) that the reading of the Paippalada recension (AVP) prajñanam is more plausible. prajñanam, however, is supported by only secondary MSS. It is also necessary to examine the verb svaráyantam in its meaning and with regard to case government.
AVS prajñánam is presumed to be a gen. pl. of adj. prajñá-, and qualifies disám. AVP prajñanam is acc. (Inhaltsakkusativ) sg. of the action noun n. prajñana- in the meaning of ‘signpost’. This meaning is attested in Vedic and in Pali paññana- ‘sign’. The participle svaráyantam is derived from svaráyati ‘sounds’. The previous interpretation “shining” on the assumption that the word is a denominative from n. svár- is to be abandoned on morphological grounds. The verb-root svar does not exit in the meaning ‘to shine’.
The translation would be: ‘(the sun) sounding for the foreknowing directions with [his] flame…’. The directions foreknow (pra-jña) each of their own positions to be located by the sound that the flame of the sun makes, and play the role of the signpost for the flying sun. This motif is succeeded by the Yajurvedic prose, and bears the background which explains the location between devas and azimuths.