Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 16,203

Date uploaded in London – 16 September 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

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Vahana

Mounts of Gods or Vehicles of Hindu Gods

They are actually the symbols of Gods; they appear on their flags as well. They have symbolic meaning. That will explain why an elephant (god Ganesh) riding on a mouse

Following is the first list of Hindu Vahanas:

1.Ganesh/Vinayaka=Mouse

2.Kartikeya/Skanda/Murugan–Peacock

3.Shiva=Bull/ Nandhi

4.Raja Rajeswari= Lion

5.Vishnu= Garuda/Eagle

6.Bhairava=Dog

7.Sastha= Horse

8.Ayyappa= Tiger

9.Sani/Saturn= Crow

10.Kalki Avatar=Horse

11.Indra= Airavata/ Elephant

12.Lakshmi= Red Lotus, Owl

13.Sarasvati=White Lotus, Swan

14.Ganga Devi= Crocodile

15.Manamatha & Rathi= Parrot

16.Kubera= Man,Parrot or Horse

17.Vishnu= 7 headed Snake/ Sesha

18.Krishna=Banyan leaf

19.Brahma= Swan 

20.Kartikeya=Rhino (Vietnam)

21.Chandi= Pig

22.Sindhi saint= Fish

23.Ganda Beranda Bird= Mannarkudi Rajagopalswamy

24.Varuna= Makara (Shark or Crcodile)

25.Agni / Fire= Ram

26.Durga= Antelope

27.Marut= Deer

28.Lakshmi in Nepal=Turtle, In Bengal=owl

29.Durga= Lion or Tiger

30.Chamundi- Owl

31.Asvini Devas= Donkey (also for Indra and Agni)

32.Dead Body= Niruthi

33.Sun= 7 Horse Chariot

34.Rahu/ Shasti= Cat

35.Rathi= Pigeon

Following Vahanas are used by different temples in Tamil Nadu

36.Surya Prabha (SUN)= Northern Districts of Tamil Nadu

37.Chandra Prabha (MOON)= Northern Districts of Tamil Nadu

38.Karpaka Vrksha= (Wish fulfilling Tree)

39.Kamadenu= Wish fulfilling Cow

40.Kailash Vahana= Siva

41.Bhupala Vahanam= Vishnu

42.Purusha Mrugam

43.Bhuta Vahanam= Shiva

44.Punnai Tree Vahana= krishna

45.Karampasu Vahanam (See Kamadhenu)

46.Goat Chariot=Pushan

47.7 Cow Chariot=Ushas

48.Kali= Yali (Yali is a mythical animal)

48.Snake= Manasa Devi

49.Seetala= Donkey

50.Viswakarma= Elephant 

Nava Grahas (Nine Planets)

Sun=Chariot drawn by Seven Horses

Moon= Antelope chariot

Mars=Ram

Bhudan/ Mercury= Horse

Jupiter= Elephant

Venus= Horse/ Crocodile

Saturn / Saniswarea= Crow

Rahu= Lion/ Cat/Tiger

Ketu=Fish

Here is the Second List of Vahanas:

1.Vahanas for Ashta Bhairav:

Ashitanga Bhairav—Swan, Guru Bhairav—Bull, Krotha Bhairav—Garuda, Unmatha Bhairav—Horse, Kapala Bhairav—Elephant, Bitchana Bhairav—Pretha, Chanda  Bhairav—Peacock, Samhara Bhairav—Lion

2.Vahanas for Sapta Matha:

Sapta Mathas: Maheswari—Rishaba/Bull, Kali—Mahisha, Indrani—Elephant, Varahi—Pig, Narayani—Garuda/Eagle, Kaumari—Peacock/Mayura, Brahmi—Swan/Anna

3.Vahana Order in Temples: 6th Day=Gaja, 8th Day=Horse Vahana

Temple Vahanas are taken out in a particular order. The Agama Shastras have stipulated some rules regarding this. For instance Ani Thirumanjana Festival at Chidamabaram Shiva Temple is celebrated in the following order:

First Day: Dwaja Arohanam (Flag Hoisting),In the night Pancha murthy procession in Manjam

Second day: Silver ChandraPrabha Vahana

Third day: Gold Surya Prabha Vahana

Fourth day: Silver Bhutavahana

Fifth Day: Silver Rishaba Vahana

Sixth day: Silver Elephant Gaja Vahana

Seventh day: Gold Kailash Vahana

Eighth day: Bhikshadanar in Gold Chariot

Ninth Day: Rathothsavam (Ratham= Big Chariot)

Tenth day: Maha Abhishekam

Eleventh day: Muthu Pallakku ( Pearl Palanquin)

Saivaite temples do elephant vahana on the sixth day of festival.

Tirupati-Tirumala Brahmorchavam Calendar:

First Day-Dwajarohan: Flag of Eagle hoisted, Pedda Sesha Vanam/many headed snake vahana;

2n day: Chinna Sesha Vahana/five headed snake, evening Hamsa/swan Vahana;

3rd day: Simha/lion Vhana, evening Pearl Palanquin;

4th day: Karpaka Vrksha/wish fulfilling tree, Evening Bhoopala Vahana/lord of the world vahana;

5th day: Mohini Avatar, evening Garuda/eagle vahana;

6th day:Hanumantha vahana, evening Gaja/elephant vahana;

7th day: Surya Prabha vahana/under the sun vahana, evening Chandra Prabha vahana/under the moon vahana;

8th day: Rathotsavam/chariot festival, evening Horse/Aswa vahana;

9th day: Chakra snanam/lord’s disc is immersed in the tank and flag is lowered.

This is typical of North Tamil Nadu and Andhra temples. Surya and Chandra Prabha vahanas are absent in Southern Tamil Nadu. They replace it with other Vahanas. But 8th day is allocated for Kuthirai/Aswa/Horse vahana.

1st day:Dwara Arohanam;2nd day-Bhutha Vahanam, Anna Vahanam;3rd day-Golden Palnquin;4th day- Kuthirai/horse vahana, 5th day-Vrshaba Vahana;6th day-Nandhikeswara and Yali Vahana;7th day: Silver Simhasana/Lion Throne;8th day-Indra Vimanam;9th day- Gaja/Yanai Vahanam,Pushpa Pallaku;10th day-Ther/Chariot,11th day-Rishaba Vahana

4.Vahana in Amarakosha

Amarasimhan’s Amarakosha (First Dictionary of Synonyms in the World) gives Vahana names as other names for Gods. This shows people were very familiar with all Vahanas and flags 2000 years ago.

Hamsa Vahana means Brahma (Swan Vehicle)

Garudadwaja means Vishnu (Eagle Flag)

Vishnuratha means Garuda (chariot of Vishnu)

Vrushadwaja means Shiva (Bull Flag)

Siki Vahana means Lord Kartikeya (Peacock Vehicle)

Megha Vahana means Indra (Cloud as Vehicle)

Havya Vahana means Agni (Fire takes all Havis/food in Yagas)

Picture of Ashta Matrika with Vahanas

5.Unusual Vahanas

Some temples have lotus (India’s national flower) as vahana for goddess Devi. Tulsi (Holy Basil plant) also used as a Vahana. Alwartirunagari near Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, has a strange vahana –Tamarind Tree (Imli in Hindi). This is used for one of the twelve Alvars known as Nammalvar. He attained wisdom under a tamarind tree. Another unusual vahana associated with this town is Parangi Narkali (Foreign Chair).The origin of this vahana is shrouded in mystery.

Chandi Devi in Sujanaghat has got varaha (pig) as vahana which is unusual.

6.Vahanas  of Ganesh

Dhumaketu (kaliyuga): Horse Vahana

Vinayakar (Kritayuga):Simha Vahana

Mayuresar (Treta yUga):Mayura Vahana

Gajananar (Dwapara Yuga): Mushika Vahana

7.Buddhist Vahanas

Buddists also have vahanas for their gods:

Vairochana- Dragon Vahana

Ratna Sambhava- Lion/simha

Amitabha—Mayura/peacock

Amoka siddhi-Eagle

Ashosabya-Elephant

8.Strange Vahanas of Temples

Several temples have unusual vahanas. It is a long list of strange things. Let us look at a few:

Pancha muka Heramba ganapathy-Simha vahana,Nagai Neelayathakshi; Mayura vahana ganapathy:Tiruanaikka,Aruppukottai,Puduvai Mankkula Vinayakar temple paintings; Horse vahana vinayakar-Chennapanayakkan palayam,Koyamputhur; Rishaba vahana ganapathy-Nellai Kanthimathi, Sucheendrum Temples; Elephant vahana Ganapathy-Tiruchendur, Sriviliputtur temples.

Pinna Kili, Gaja Lakshmi,Tulasi Brunda-Karur temple; Sarabha vahana-Tiruchendur Ambal; Kubera vahana-Kumbheswarar temple, Idumba vahana-Swamimalai Murugan; Kalaiman kida/antelope-Valliyur Murugan; Adhikara Nandhi_-Arunachaleswar temple.

In the next part we will look at the Vahanas on ancient Indian coins.

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Vahana in Egypt

Also read my earlier posts:

1.Iraq: 7 Gods Procession on Vahanas

2.Deer Chariot: Rig Veda to Santa Claus

3.Hindu Vahanas around the World

4.Vahanas in Kalidasa and Tamil Literature

5.Who Rides What Vahanas?

6.உலகம் முழுதும் இந்து தெய்வ வாகனங்கள்

7.சங்கத் தமிழ் இலக்கியத்தில் வாகனங்கள்

8.வாகனங்கள் தோன்றியது எங்கே?ஏன்? எப்போது?

9.எந்தக் கடவுளுக்கு என்ன வாகனங்கள்?

10.Interesting Facts on Vahanas

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Vamana

Vāmana (वामन).—An incarnation of Mahāviṣṇu.  There are ten main incarnations of Mahāviṣṇu. Of these, the incarnation of Vāmana is the fifth.

Avatar of Viṣnu. Vamana, the dwarf, appeared in the Treta Yuga. The fourth descendant of Hiranyakashyap, Bali, with devotion and penance was able to defeat Indra, the god of firmament. This humbled the other deities and extended his authority over the three worlds. The gods appealed to Vishnu for protection and he descended as the dwarf Vamana. During a yajna of the king, Vamana approached him in the midst of other Brahmins. Bali was happy to see the diminutive holy man, and promised whatever he asked. His Brahmin teacher Shukracharaya warned him not to entertain him. But Bali ignored his advice. Vamana asked for three paces of land. Bali agreed, and the dwarf then changed his size to that of a giant. He stepped over heaven in his first stride, and the netherworld with the second. Bali realized that Vamana was Vishnu incarnate. In deference, the king offered his head as the third place for Vamana to place his foot. The avatar did so and thus granted Bali immortality. Then in appreciation to Bali and his grandfather Prahlada, Vamana made him ruler of Pathala, the netherworld. Bali is believed to have ruled Kerala and Tulunadu. He is still worshiped there as the king of prosperity and recalled before the time of harvest.

Tamil Sangam literature and later Tirukkural refers to Vamana Avatara.

**

Vāmana (वामन).—Name of one of the joint authors of the well-known gloss or वृत्ति (vṛtti) upon the Sutras of Panini, who lived in the seventh century A. D. It cannot be ascertained which portion of the Kasika was written by Vamana and which by his colleague जयादित्य (jayāditya). There was another famous scholar of Kashmir by name Vamana who flourished in the tenth century and who wrote an independent grammar treatise विश्रान्तविद्याधर (viśrāntavidyādhara), together with उणादि-सूत्रवृत्ति (uṇādi-sūtravṛtti) and लिङ्गानुशासन (liṅgānuśāsana).

***

Vamachara

Worship of female energy. Goddess is on the left side of Lord Siva. Left belongs to Devi or Shakti.

Vāmācāra (वामाचार).—the left-hand ritual or doctrine of the Tantras; the doctrine of resorting to मांस, मद्य, मत्स्य, मैथुन (māṃsa, madya, matsya, maithuna) and मुद्रा (mudrā).

Vāmācāra (वामाचार):—[from vāma] m. the left-hand practices or doctrines of the Tantras (id est. the worship of the Śakti or Female Energy personified as the wife of Śiva, as opposed to dakṣiṇācāra .

These practices are often generally considered to be Tantric in orientation. The converse term is dakṣiṇācāra “Right-Hand Path”, which is used to refer to “orthodox” (Āstika) sects .

Arthur Avalon (the pen name of British high court judge Sir John Woodroffe) wrote and edited several seminal books on Tantric worship and Shakta philosophy. His most notable books focusing on Tantric worship, doctrine, and ritual practices include: The_Serpent_Power, Shakti and Shakta.

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Vararuchi

Vararuci (वररुचि).—A reputed ancient grammarian who is identified with Katyayana, the prominent author of the Varttikas on the Sutras of Panini. Both the names वररुचि (vararuci) and कात्यायन (kātyāyana) are mentioned in commentary works in connection with the Varttikas on the Sutras of Panini, and it is very likely that Vararuci was the individual name of the scholar, and Katyayana his family name.

Name of a grammarian (also a poet, lexicographer, and writer on medicine, sometimes identified with Kātyāyana, the reputed author of the Vārttikas or supplementary rules of Pāṇini; he is placed by some among the nine gems of the court of Vikramāditya, and by others among the ornaments of the court of Bhoja.

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Vartika

Vārtika (वार्तिक).—An additional statement which is as much authoritative as the original one to which it is appended for the purposes of correction, completion of explanation. Kātyāyana wrote about 4000 Vārttikas on the sūtras of Pāṇini’s Aṣṭādhyāyī.

According to the prominent 19th-century German Sanskrit scholar Theodor Goldstücker, the Vartika (Vāttika) of Kātyāyana was composed around the 4th century BCE. Goldstücker established this chronology by analyzing the significant linguistic and structural evolution of the Sanskrit language between the periods of the great grammarians. Goldstücker placed Pāṇini (the author of the Aṣṭādhyāyī) in the 7th century BCE (or late 8th century BCE). He argued that Kātyāyana lived at least 300 years after Pāṇini. Goldstücker argued that during the 300-year interval, grammatical forms current in Pāṇini’s time had become obsolete or incorrect, and words had assumed entirely new meanings, forcing Kātyāyana to write the Vartika to rectify and complete the rules.

***

Varuna

Brahmins worship him in the daily ritual Sandhyavandana with reverential fear.

Oldest Tamil book Tolkappiam has named Varuna as the god of the Tamil community living in the coastal area.

Zoaroaster has praised him as an Asura in Zend Avesta

VEDIC GOD VARUNA is described as a spy in the Vedas. The implied meaning is ‘nothing can happen without his knowledge’. His description beats all the spies from RAW, Mossad, CIA, KGB, FBI, MI 5, MI 6, Scotland Yard and James Bond Films. After reading the Atharva Veda hymn on Varuna, even anti Hindu German Indologist Von Roth said this was The Best Description of a God in the Vedas. His omnipresence and Omnipotence are described beautifully and powerfully.

Varuna is said to count the batting of eyelids of every human being. That means he is the most advanced Super Computer; because he counts 75840 billion every day.

Following is my calculation:

Average 10 blinks per minute;  X 60 minutes= 600 per hour

600X16 hours (eight hour sleep deleted from 24 hours a day)=   9600 blinks per day per person X 7.9 billion =75840 billon blinks per day in the whole world

In numbers 75840 ,000, 000,000 PER DAY

IN SHORT

VARUNA IS THE CCTV OF THE WORLD

VARUNA IS THE SUPER SPY WITH 1000 EYES

VARUNA IS THE MOST ADVANCED SUPER COMPUTER WITH BILLIONS OF CALCULATIONS EVERY MINUTE

VARUNA IS EVERY WHERE ‘UP ABOVE THE WORLD SO HIGH’ AND BOTTOM OF THE MARIANA TRENCH IN PACIFIC OCEAN, DEEPEST POINT in ocean

VARUNA IS HUMAN AND DIVINE

VARUNA IS IN EVERY WATER DROP.

HE IS THE INVISIBLE THIRD MAN IN EVERY SECRET MEETINGS.

HE HAS THE NOOSE WHICH WILL BIND EVERYONE.

HE PUNISHES ALL THE EVIL DOERS.

HE IS IN CHARGE OF THE LAW DEPARTMENT OF THE UNIVERSE

HE IS THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURSE OF THE UNIVERSE.

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ALL BRAHMINS WORSHIP VARUNA EVERYDAY IN THE SANDHYA VANDANA MANTRA. THEY SALUTE HIM WITH SPEACIAL MANTRA EVERY EVENING. HE IS MENTIONED IN THE BOGAZKOY INSCRIPTION DATED 1340 BCE (in Turkey)

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Here is the hymn from Atharva Veda; though there are hymns on Varuna in Rig Veda , this is the best. Not only that, it shows how powerful Hindu Gods are.

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HYMN XVI, CANTO 4, ATHARVA VEDA

On the omnipresence and omniscience of Varuna

1)The mighty Ruler of these worlds beholds as though from close

   at hand,

  The man who thinks he acts by stealth: all this the Gods

   perceive and know.

2)If a man stands or walks or moves in secret, goes to his lying-

   down or his uprising,

  What two men whisper as they sit together, King Varuna knows:

   he as the third is present.

3)This earth, too, is King Varuna’s possession, and the high

   heaven whose ends are far asunder.

  The loins of Varuna are both the oceans, and this small drop of

   water, too, contains him. p. a124

4)If one should flee afar beyond the heaven, King Varuna would

   still be round about him.

  Proceeding hither from the sky his envoys look, thousand-eyed,

   over the earth beneath them.

5)All this the royal Varuna beholdeth, all between heaven and

   earth and all beyond them.

  The twinklings of men’s eyelids hath he counted. As one who

   plays throws dice he settles all things.

6)Those fatal snares of thine which stand extended, threefold,

  O Varuna, seven by seven,

  May they all catch the man who tells a falsehood, and pass un-

   harmed the man whose words are truthful.

7)Varuna, snare him with a hundred nooses! Man’s watcher! let

   not him who lies escape thee.

  There let the villain sit with hanging belly and bandaged like a

   cask whose hoops are broken.

8)Varuna sends, and drives away, diseases: Varuna is both native

   and a stranger,

  Varuna is celestial and is human.

9)I bind and hold thee fast with all these nooses, thou son of such

   a man and such a mother.

  All these do I assign thee as thy portion.

Von Roth said

There is no hymn in the whole Vedic literature which express the divine omniscience in such forcible (forceful) terms as this .

Hindus believe diseases come to one who does sinful activities in previous births. So we find diseases in this mantra.

Griffith points out that there is one statement in the Bible (Psalms 139-2-3 which can be compared to one line here in Mantra 2.

Griffith gives references in RV1-25-13; 7-87-3; 7-89-2

Mantra 7 has reference to 7,7,7=21 which is in Tamil Sangam Purananuru 166.

Six  foreigners have translated this hymn:- Muir, Max Muller, Von Roth, Ludwig, Grill and Kaegi

This can be compared with Bharatiyar’s description of his poem

***

Vasishtha

Brahmins worship him thrice a day in their Sandhyavandana ritual.

His wife Arundhati is worshipped by all Hindus and mentioned in 2000 year old Sangam Tamil literature many times.

Viewing Arundhati star in the night is done on the first day of a Hindu’s marriage.

Vasishtha (Sanskrit: वसिष्ठ,  vasiṣṭha) is a revered Vedic sage . He is one of the Saptarishis (seven great Rishis) of India. Vasishtha is credited as the chief author of Mandala 7 of Rigveda. Vasishtha and his family are mentioned in Rigvedic verse 10.167.4, other Rigvedic mandalas and in many Vedic texts.

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POWER OF BRAHMINS IS GREATER THAN THE POWER OF RULERS: SANGAM TAMIL LITERATURE AND MAHABHARATA

The clash between the great two Vedic Rishis Vasishta and Viswamitra is a well known story. It established the supremacy of Brahmins. Both rishis/seers figure in the oldest book in the world- The Rig Veda (RV). People who are pure at heart and selfless are more powerful than the AK 47 wielding Clint Eastwoods!

This message is in both the Mahabharata, the longest epic in the world and Purananuru, the oldest anthology in 2000 year old Sangam Tamil literature.

First let us look at Mahabharata (Adi Parva, the first of the 18 Books in the Mahabharata):_

Once upon a time great king Viswamitra went out on a hunting expedition. When he and his retinue were tired, they visited the great saint Vasistha. His ashramam (House of Saints; hermitage) was in the middle of the forest. He had a beautiful cow named Nandini. It had the power of fulfilling anyone’s wishes like Kamadhenu.

Vasistha received him with great honour. He gave to Viswamitra precious jewels which were obtained from his wonder working cow Nandini. Viswamitra wondered how come this sage in the middle of the forest , could feed all his retinue and give him precious gifts. Vasishta explained that his holy cow can give anything he wished for. Viswamitra asked Vasishta to give him the cow in exchange for hundred million cows or even his kingdom. When Vasishta refused  to comply with his demand Viswamitra  threatened to use force. He dragged the cow and pushed it hither and thither, but she would not move. She became angry and in order to punish Viswamitra and his army, she created Pahlavas , Dravidas, Sakas,Yavanas , Kiratas and other tribes.  The words of the poet Vyasa are

Asrujat pahlavan, puchchath prasravath dravidaan, sakaan yonidevascha  yavanan sakrutah  savaraan bahuun.

Beholding this great miracle, the Bramanical might , Viswamitra  was humbled at the impotence of a Kshatria nature, and exclaimed

Dhig balam kshatriya balam brahma tejo balam, balam

Balabalam vinistritya tapa eva balam balam

Shame on a Kshatriya’s strength.  The strength of a Brahmins lustre is strength indeed. Determining what is strength and what is weakness, we see that, penance is the greatest strength.

This legend is found in Valmiki Ramayana as well .

Later Viswamitra  went for doing Tapas(penance), but failed in first two attempts because of ego and women (Trisanku Episode and Menaka episode). When he won at the third attempt, Vasishta himself called him “Hello Mr Brahmin” (Brahma Rishi). That has become a phrase in Hindusim equal to ‘From the horse’s mouth’ in English.

The power of penance is in Purananuru, oldest portion of 2000 year old Sangam Tamil literature and later moral book Tirukkural of Tiru Valluvar

Here is the verse from Purananuru:-

Vanmiki , similar to Valmiki, the Ramayana author, has penned the verse 358 in Purananuru. Though there are very interesting information in these seven lined verse, I will highlight only one point here. If you weigh the earth and the penance, penance is so big that earth will look like an iota. Earth means earthly life that is family life, but penance is far greater than the family life. Tamil poet Vanmiki use the Sanskrit word Tavam. Tapo in Sanskrit is tamilized Tavam (P=V). here we are concerned only about the greatness of penance. It is a repetition of  what is said in Mahabharat. True Brahmins are doing penance even when they are in family life. So the word Antanar is used for anyone who is inward looking, ie. God searching. Brahmin also meant the same, i.e. Brahmam seeking. So it is an echo of Mahabharata lines. Even a kshatriya like Viswamitra is called Brahmin when he competed his penance successfully.

Tiruvalluvar also elucidated the power of saints. If any one does any harm to a saint the empire will crumble like dust, he says.

“If those of rigorous penance become enraged, even Indra will crash from power and position” – Kural 899

Venthan is the Tamil word used in this couplet. It means King or Indra. Tolkaappiam used the word for Indra.

The next couplet emphasizes this point,

“Though possessed of great support, they who are exposed to the wrath of persons of exceeding penance will perish”- Kural 900.

Brahma tejo balam balam!!

Curses of Vasistha (RV 7-104)

1.Indra and Soma, burn and destroy the demon foe. Annihilate the fools, slay them and burn them up. Send downward who adds gloom to gloom. Chase them away. Pierce the voracious ones.

2.Let sin around the wicked boil like as a cauldron set amid the flames of fire. Against the foe of prayer, devourer of raw flesh, the vile fiend fierce of eye, keep your perpetual hate against cruel eyed .

My comments

This is a curse against anti god, anti -prayer gangs. The very interesting point is to throw them into cauldron in the middle of fire. Later day pictures of hell show this. Even 1400 years ago, Saivite saint Appar was thrown into a burning Lime kiln but he was saved by Lord Siva.

Another interesting point is that anti Hindu gangs were cannibals. Like Chinese eat scorpions, lizards, rats and snakes today, like the East Europeans eat horses today, there was a gang of cannibals in Vedic period. Even the Rakshasas of Sri Lanka ate human flesh. Story of Agastya show that Vatapi and Ilvalan ate human flesh. And the same story show that the forest was full of human skeletons of seers.

So the curses were thrown against the barbaric tribes.

Cruel eyed : commentators say spy or gossip mongers.

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RV.7-104-3

Indra and Soma , plunge the wicked in the depth, yes, cast them into darkness that has no support. So that none of them may ever return.

7-104-4

Hurl your deadly crushing bolt down on the wicked fiend from heaven and earth. Burn them to death

7-104-5

Let them sink without a sound.

7-104-6

Indra and Soma, I offer these prayers with wisdom. Accept my prayers; let both of you be united like two horses in the chariot.

Mantra 7

Slay the treacherous fiends; let the wicked have no bliss who evermore assails us with malignity.

Mantra 8

I pursue my way with guileless spirit;  whoever accuses me  with words of falsehood, may the speaker of untruth be crushed like water in the hand.

Mantra 9

Those who harm the righteous must be given to snakes or to Nirruti (Hindu goddess personifying death, decay and destruction)

Mantra 10

May he a thief or a robber, sink to destruction; both himself and offspring.

Mantra 11

May he be swept away himself and children; may all the three earths press him down beneath them.

Mantra 12

A wise man can easily distinguish the true and false.

Soma protects the true and honest

My comments

This is a good quotation. A prudent man can easily find out who is honest. Several Hindu stories in the Vikram and Vetal and Katha sarit sagara stand examples for this.

But Sayana, commentator, gives the story of Kalmashapada here.  I give the story from Who is Who in the Mahabharata by Subash Mazumdar

“ Kalmashpada was a king of Ikshwaku dynasty. He once encountered Shakti, son of sage Vasistha, on a narrow forest path. The question of relative priority as to who should pass first and who should give way, led to heated argument until the king losing his temper started mercilessly whipping \shakti in a demonic raage. Thereupon Shakti collecting his spiritual strength, cursed the king would become a Rakshasa hungering for human flesh wandering the forest for 12 years.

At this juncture Visvamitra who had earlier been bested by Vaishtha and therefore wanted to please Shakti, arranged for a Rakshasa called Kinkara to enter the body of Kalmashapada. Later this curse upon the king was redoubled in force by the pronouncement of a brahmana who was erroneously served human by orders of the king.(It is in Adi Parva of Mahabharata).

The king in his rakshasa form initiated his consumption of human flesh by killing and devouring Shakti himself. Later he also killed Vaishtha’ss other sons.

Once Kalmasha pada , while in Rakshasa form, saw a brahmin couple enjoying conjugal pressure. He killed and ate the Brahmana. Thereupon the brahmana cursed that the king would also die if he ever attempted to enjoy conjugal bliss with his queen.

Years later when he wanted to kill and eat Adashyanti, widow of Shakti, Vasishta sprinkled holy water on him and the curse having ended the king expressed his lifelong indebtedness to Vasishta .

There are 25 mantras . I have covered only 12 out of 25.

To be continued……………………..

Tags- Vahana, Varuna, Vasistha, Vararuchi, Vamana, HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL ; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-115