Hastin (हस्तिन्) is a term for 'elephant' used in Vedic texts. Other terms for 'elephant' include Ibha (इभ) and Vārana (वारण).
The elephant in the Rigveda[edit]
In Rigveda 1.84.17 and 4.4.1. and probably other instances, the Rigveda seems to refer to elephants (e.g. Bryant 2001: 323), an animal native to South Asia. It has been speculated that some of these verses might be references to domesticated elephants.[1] In RV 1.64.7, 8.33.8 and 10.40.4, "wild" elephants are mentioned.
Mrga Hastin[edit]
In the Rigveda and in the Atharvaveda, the term is translated as 'elephant' (according to Keith and Macdonell, Roth and other scholars).[2] In the Rigveda, Mrga Hastin (animal with a hand) occurs in RV 1.64.7 and RV 4.16.14.
Ibha[edit]
RV 9.57.3 and RV 6.20.8 mention ibhas, a term meaning 'servant, domestics, household' according to Roth, Ludwig, Zimmer and other Indologists.[3] Other scholars like Pischel and Karl Friedrich Geldner translate the term as 'elephant'.[4] According to Sayana,[4] Mahidhara[4] and the Nirukta,[4] ibha is translated as 'elephant'. Megasthenes[4] and Nearchos[4] also connect ibha with 'elephant'. The term ibha is only used in the Samhitas, and especially in the Rigveda.[5][6]
Varana[edit]
Another term that may mean 'elephant' is Varana (RV 8.33.8; RV 10.40.4). According to Macdonell and Keith, Varana refers to elephants.[7]
The elephant in other Hindu texts[edit]
The Akananuru (27) and the Purananuru (389) state that elephants were raised and trained in ancient Tamilagam's northern boundary of Venkatam hills, Tirupati.
Notes[edit]
- ^ RV 4.4.1, 9.57.3 (where "the people deck him like a docile king of elephants"), 6.20.8; Talageri, Shrikant (2000)
- ^ Vedic Index, II, 501; II, 171
- ^ In RV 4.4.1 and 6.20.8, ibha is translated as servants/attendants by Griffith.
- ^ a b c d e f Vedic Index, I, 79
- ^ Vedic Index, I, 79.
- ^ RV 1.84.17; 4.4.1; 9.57.3; and perhaps 6.20.8. Vedic Index, I, 79.
- ^ Vedic Index, II, 288
References[edit]
- Bryant, Edwin (2001). The Quest for the Origins of Vedic Culture. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-513777-9.
- Macdonell, A.A. and Keith, A.B. 1912. The Vedic Index of Names and Subjects.
- Talageri, Shrikant: The Rigveda: A Historical Analysis. 2000. ISBN 81-7742-010-0