________________
24
they ha ve been associated as performers the word Kesin (charioteer of Mudgala) with the afacer ceremony. Moreover, signifies the bull yoked to the chariot of only seers of vedic verses are called Rsis, Mudgala in his race where he won a who can, therefore, be none other than thousand cows. Griffith has translated the believers and followers of the Vedic the two verses (viz., X. 102. 5-6) bearing religion. The very fact that a hymn on the problem as follows. attributed to the wind-girdled sages appears "5. They came anear the bull; they in the Rg-Veda indicates that they were made him thunder, made him pour rain strict followers of the Vedic religion- down ere the fight was ended. sacrificial and spiritual.
And Mudgala thereby won in the 7. There is no other passages in the contest well-pastured kine in hundVedic literature containing the word reds and in thousands. Vatarasana.
6. In hope of victory that bull was The word Kesi
harnessed : Kesi the driver urged him on 8 The word Kesi in the hymn Rv. X with shouting. 136 cannot refer to Lord Risabha Deva As he ran swiftly with the car bemerely because this dignity has been called hind him his lifted heels pressed alatta by the Bhagavata Purana and be- close on Mudgalani," cause he had matted hair on two sides of
This bull has been described as his head. The Vasisthas were also con
follows in verse 4. spicuous on account of their hair and "4. The bull in joy had drunk a lake were called Kapardinah (Rv. VII. 331, of water. His shattering horn encounter83.8). Moreover, the Rg-Veda refers to ed an opponent. three #fema: (Rv. I. 164.44) who have been
Swiftly, in vigorous strength eager explained as fire, sun and wind or as for glory, he stretched his forefeer, matter, individual soul and the Supreme
fain to win and triumph." Soul. Indra, his horse, Agni's horses and
10. The word Vrsabha in Rv. I. 190.). his flames and charioteer of Mudgala have
II. 33.15, v. 28.4, VI. 18; 19,11 and X. also been called by this name. In the
99.11 has been used as an adjective to the Vatarasana hymn Kesi has been described
gods Brhaspati, Rudra, Agni and Indra. as the All-Powerful Entity which bears
Modern scholars translate it as 'bull'. fire, water, the earth and the heaven. It is
Sayana and others as 'fulfiller of desires' the light of the whole world. This Entity
'sprinkler of semen' etc. It remains to be moves in the Gandharvas, the Apsarasas
shown how this word interpreted as Lord and all beings (mrga) and drinks water
Rsabha Deva fits in the verses and their along with Rudra :
hymns. The word Vrsabha
The word Muni 9 Vrsabha in the Rg-Veda has been 11. The Rg-Veda says that the leader confused with Lord Rsabha Deva. In Rv. of the Maruts is like a muni 'an inspired X. 102.6 Vrsabha mentioned along with being' (VII. 56.8 Griffith's translation).
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
