Chapter 2a - The nature of the Parisistas (of the Atharvaveda)

534
finger. Thereby he is ovepowered with head-ache, sickness,
lack of thinking capacity and loss of welfare. A symbol
(linga) of the enemy should be made of black mustard
(raja-sarsapa), it should be scraped and fumigated. Obla-
tions of white mustard should be offered. Thereby the enemy
certainly meets his death. By means of the constant murmer-
ing (japa) of the spell, the enemy is made to eat unedible
things; he becomes unwell and catches all diseases; he becomes
unconscious and his body falls down (pinda-pata). The japa
should not be made for eleven times, lest it might lead to
the destruction of the family of the celebrant himself (36.8.
1-5).
2. Atharvanic magic is, as has been pointed out
elsewhere, double-edged. On the one hand it is ghora and of
the nature of abhicära and yatu; while, on the other hand, it
42 can also be employed for santa, paustika and bhaisaiya purposes.
It is, indeed, well said that the Atharvanic magic aims both
at blessing and appeasing as well as cursing. A statement
has so far been made about the employment of Atharvanic magic
as 'black magic'. A reference may now be made to its employ-
ment as what may called 'white magic'. Of course, it must
be remembered that the terms 'black magic' and 'white magic'
are only relative, for, the same rite is often conducive to
one's own good and to the enemy's disaster.
simultaneously beneficent to the performer and maleficent to
It is
42. See under Atharvängiras and Bhrgvangiras, the names of
the AV above (pp. 30-31).