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

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mighty ketus and their prognostications, becomes possessed
of excellent wealth.
1 (f). The Constellations
47 Parisista 56 conceives of India as a tortoise facing
towards the east, and assigns to the nine parts thereof
three constellations each beginning with the Krttikäs.
contact with an evil planet), 48
When
a certain group of constellations is 'smitten' (coming in
the quarter to which that
group is assigned is in the danger of being adversely affect-
ed. When the group of constellations (Krttikā, Rohini and
Mrgasiras) belonging to the centre is smitten, it affects
the regions of Saketa, Mithila, Mekala, Ahichatra, Nagapur,
Käsi, Päriyātra, Kuru, Pancala, Kosala, Kausambi and
Pataliputra. When the group of constellations towards the
head (1.e. the east) is smitten, it affects Anga, Vanga,
Kalinga, Magadha, Mahendra, Gavasa, Ambastha and the regions
near the eastern ocean. When the group of constellations in
the south-east is smitten, it affects Khasa, Bhadra,
Sanatata, Samavardhamanaka, Vaideha, Gandhara, Kosala, Tosala,
Venatata, Sajjapura, Mädreya, and Tamalipta. When the
group of constellations assigned to the south is smitten, it
affects Avanti, Vidarbha, Matsya, Cakora, Bhimaratha, Yavana,
47. Kaus. (93.35; 128) prescribes a rite to be performed
when the constellations seem to fall as it were (atha
yatrai tan naksaträni patāpatāni 'va bhavanti).
48. Cf. Mah. V.143.8-10; VI.3.13-18, 27.