Zend Avesta Part 03

SR No.: 007673
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: L H Mills
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1887
Total Pages: 2618
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 49 MB

Page 824

230
VEDIC HYMNS.
of strength, seemed a preferable rendering. As to mithaspridhya, see I, 119, 3, p. 164.
Note 2. The rendering of this passage must depend on the question whether the khadis, whatever they are, can be carried on the shoulders or not. We saw before (p. 120) that khâdís were used both as ornaments and as weapons, and that, when used as weapons, they were most likely rings or quoits with sharp edges. There is at least one other passage where these khâdis are said to be worn on the shoulders :
VII, 56, 13. ámseshu & marutah khâdáyah vah vákshah-su rukmah upa-sisriyânãh.
On your shoulders are the quoits, on your chests the golden chains are fastened.
In other places the khadís are said to be in the hands, hásteshu, but this would only show that they are there when actually used for fighting. Thus we read :
1, 168, 3. å eshâm ámseshu rambhínî-iva rarabhe, hásteshu khâdih ka kritih ka sám dadhe.
To their shoulders there clings as if a clinging wife, in their hands the quoit is held and the dagger.
In V, 58, 2, the Maruts are called khádi-hasta, holding the quoits in their hands. There is one passage which was mentioned before (p. 112), where the khâdís are said to be on the feet of the Maruts, and on the strength of this passage Professor Roth proposes to alter pra-patheshu to prá-padeshu, and to translate, 'The khâdís are on your forefeet. I do not think this emendation necessary. Though we do not know the exact shape and character of the khadi, we know that it was a weapon, most likely a ring, occasionally used for ornament, and carried along either on the feet or on the shoulders, but in actual battle held in the hand. The weapon which Vishnu holds in one of his right hands, the so-called kakra, may be the modern representation of the ancient khâdi. What, however, is quite certain is this, that khâdi in the Veda never means food, as Sayana optionally interprets it. This interpretation is accepted by Wilson, who translates, “At your restingplaces on the road refreshments (are ready).' Nay, he
Digitized by
Digitized by Google