Vedic Voices: Intimate Narratives of a Living Andhra Tradition

369 Pages·2015·17.58 MB·English

by  David M. Knipe

Vedic Voices

Vedic Voices
Intimate Narratives of a Living
Andhra Tradition
z
DAVID M. KNIPE
1
3
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ISBN 978–0–19–939768–6(hbk.); 978–0–19–939769–3(pbk)
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Dedicated to
Baballa [Bhamidipati Yajnesvara Somayaji] and
Sundari Somidevamma
Yajulu [Duvvuri Yajnesvara Paundarika Yajulu] and
Surya Somidevamma
Cayanulu [Bulusu Vyaghresvara Cayanulu] and
Subbalaksmi Somidevamma
Lanka [Lanka Venkatarama Sastri] and
Anasuya Somidevamma
Kamesvara [Bulusu Kamesvara] and
Satyavati Somidevamma
Laksminayana [Pullela Laksminayana] and
Kamesvari Somidevamma
Mitranarayana [Bhamidipati Mitranarayana
Sarvatomukha Somayaji] and Anasuya Somidevamma
Samavedam [Samavedam Suryanarayana
Avadhani] and Kamala garu
Gullapalli Sitaram Sastri Avadhanulu and
Narasamamba garu
Kapilavayi Venkatesvara and Sita Rama Laksmi garu
Kapilavayi Rama Sastri and Maruti garu
and M. V. Krishnayya, Professor Emeritus,
Andhra University

Contents
List of Illustrations xi
Preface xv
Acknowledgments xix
Maps xxi
1. The Godavari Delta 5
1.1. Riverine Lifelines 5
1.2. A Historical Overview of the Delta 7
1.3. Agrahara, Villages, and Pilgrimage Towns 23
2. Vedamlo, “Living in the Veda” 28
2.1. The Vocabulary of the Veda Pandit 28
2.2. Choices for Livelihood 38
2.3. The Vocabulary of an Ahitagni 41
2.4. Bonding with Agni 49
2.5. The Voices of Ahitagni and Other Veda pandits 52
3. A Selection of Ahitagni and Other Veda Pandits in Agrahara,
Villages, and Towns 54
3.1. The Sriramapuram Agrahara 54
3.2. Kamesvari Agrahara Near Nedunuru Village 97
3.3. Vyaghresvaram Village 106
3.4. Kakinada Town 110
3.5. From Kakinada to Vijayawada and Beyond 116
3.6. Iragavaram Village 132
4. Becoming a Veda 141
4.1. A Tumult of Veda and the Brahmacarin 141
4.2. The Work of the Text 144
viii Contents
4.3. The Sama-vartana: Graduation Day 147
4.4. Advanced Degrees 148
4.5. The Sabha: Debating in an Assembly of Veda Pandits 153
5. Becoming a Householder 157
5.1. The Voices of Women 157
5.2. Marriage 162
5.3. Children and Their Life-cycle Rites 170
5.4. Livelihood 176
5.5. Old Age, Retirement, and Thoughts on Renunciation 180
5.6. Death and Beyond 184
6. Becoming Agni 187
6.1. Agni, Private and Extended 188
6.2. The Adhana, Setting the Fires for Srauta Agni-hotra 190
6.3. The Agni-hotra, Sunset and Sunrise Milk Offerings 194
6.4. Offerings to the New Moon, Full Moon, and Constellations 199
6.5. The Agrayana Harvest Sacrifice 205
6.6. The Catur-masya Seasonal Rituals 206
6.7. The First Soma and Animal Sacrifice, Agni-stoma 210
6.8. The Pravargya 218
6.9. The Soma-sacrifice Schedule and Other Rituals 220
6.10. Variations of Agni-cayana, Building a Fire Altar 222
6.11. The Vaja-peya Drink of Strength 228
6.12. The Maha-vrata Great Vow and Go-sava Bull Imitation 230
6.13. The Sautramani Offering to Indra the Protector 232
6.14. The Asva-medha, Sacrifice of the Royal Horse, the Purusa-medha,
and the Raja-suya 234
6.15. Final Absorption into Agni: Funeral Rites 237
6.16. Becoming an Ancestor 243
Epilogue: Becoming “Modern” 247
E.1. A New Cash Economy 248
E.2. Mobility 249
E.3. Huna-vidya: A Rival Form of Education 250
Contents ix
E.4. The Powers That Be 251
E.5. “America”: Polarities and Dreams 254
Glossary 259
Notes 277
Bibliography 295
Index 323