[INDOLOGY] amsala

[Herman Tull]

​
Dermot,

I worked on this 30 years ago,​ and I remember asking the exact same
question. If memory serves correctly (and it may be
​unreliable
 here), I believe Sayana's commentary
​is
 helpful here
​ in getting to Eggeling's definition​
.
​
(I'm away from my library right now, and I cannot check
​.​
)​

​Herman

Herman Tull
Princeton, NJ
On Jun 25, 2016 11:19 AM, <dermot at grevatt.force9.co.uk> wrote:

> Can someone help with a bit of brAhmaNa interpretation?
>
> Monier-Williams and Mayrhofer both say aMsala means "strong", connecting
> it with aMsa
> "shoulder". Mayrhofer adds that it's used mainly with reference to cattle
> and meat.
>
> In xatapatha brAhmaNa 3.1.2.21 Eggeling translates it "tender".
>
> The context is a prohibition on eating beef -- apparently not for everyone
> at all times, but for
> someone undertaking dIkSA. After an arthavAda justifying the prohibition,
> YAjnavalkya is
> quoted as saying "axnAmy evAham aMsalaM ced bhavati."
>
> Eggeling: "I, for one, eat it, provided that it is tender."
>
> Is there any evidence for a meaning "tender", or is Eggeling taking a
> liberty to give
> YAjnavalkya a good punch line?
>
> I realise that ancient Indian diet can be a sensitive issue, but the
> question here seems to be
> about YAjnavalkya's culinary preference.
>
> I'd be grateful for any clarification.
>
> Dermot
>
> --
> Dermot Killingley
> 9, Rectory Drive,
> Gosforth,
> Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 1XT
> Phone (0191) 285 8053
>
>
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