Indian Antiquary Vol 47

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 300

280
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[NOVEMBER, 1918
INDRASENA. BY A. VENKATASUBBIAH, M.A., Pg.D.; MYSORE IN stanza 2 of the Rigveda-Samhita, X. 102 occurs the word Indrasend which is taken by Geldner (Vedische Studien ; 2, p. 1) as denoting Mudgalânî (or the wife of Mudgala) mentioned in stanzas 2 and 6 of the same hymn. This hymn is obscure and the most diverse views have been held about its import. Bergaigne (Religion Vedique; 2, p. 280ff.) thinks that the hymn depicts liturgical symbolism ; Henry, (Journal Asiatique ; 1896, II, p. 516 ff.) that it refers to the methods employed in primitive divination, and Bloomfield (ZDMG., 48, p. 547), that the hymn refers to heavenly, i.e., mythological events and not to human events. Similarly, Profs. Macdonell (Vedic Index, II, p. 167) and Keith 1 (JRAS., 1911, p. 1005 n). Profs. Geldner and Oidenberg, on the other hand, consider that it is an ó khyana or itihdsa hymn and that it describes a chariot-race in which Mudgala's wife took prominent part. For literature connected therewith, see Oldenberg, RigvedaNoten, II, p. 318.
In p. 1328 ff. of the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 1910, Mr. Pargiter has attemptec to throw some light on this hymn with the help of certain details contained in the Purdas about Mudgala, who is, according to the Nirukta (9. 3. 2. 3.) and the Sarvanukramani, the son of Bhřimyasva and the author of this hymn. With the help of these details, Mr. Pargiter has constructed the following genealogy
Bhřimyasva
Mudgala
Brahmishtha = Indrasena
Vadhryaśva= Menaka
Divodása And, from this genealogy, he has arrived at the following conclusions respecting the persons named in the hymn :
1° Mudgala was a rájå of the North Pafchâla dynasty and yet might also be regarded 88 & Tishi.
2° Mudgalâni, whose name is not mentioned, was obviously Mudgala's wife, as is generally agreed.
3o Indrasena was the daughter-in-law of Mudgala, being the wife or rather the queen of his son Brahmishtha.
4° Vadhri, in stanza 12, seems to refer to Indrasena's son and Mudgala's grandson Vadhryasva
5° Keti, mentioned in stanza 6, was the sarathi or cbarioteer who drove Mudgalani in the race.
Mr. Pargiter is therefore disposed to interpret the hymn in accordance with the above conclusions.
In the note referred to above, Mr. Pargiter has collected the information given by the · Puranas about Mudgala only and has not brought out anything new about Indrasend,
In the opinion of these scholars (and of Sêyaņa alao), Indrasend is not a proper name at all, but . common name meaning Indra's bolt.' This word therefore has not been accorded an entry in the Vedic Indea.