Upabrmhana and Rgveda Interpretation

Author(s): T G Manikar
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 30

Thc Hymn of Mudgala Bharmyaśva (X. 102)
'śravāyya' contest, ‘aji' at the very outset. Mudgalani became the driver, 'rathi,' conquered a thousand, 'ajayat sahasram' and she did collect the booty, bhare krtam vyacet indrasena' (2). Again, Indra is invoked and is requested to hurl his weapon at the enemies who seek to kill and the dangerous weapon whether of an Arya or a Dasa is desired to be warded off (3). In this contest, āji, Mudgala has won a thousand cows, 'sahasram gavām pradhane jigaya' (5). The driver Mudgalāni had her status increased on account of this victory, parivykteva pativid yamanat pipyana' (11). Finally there is the expression of the gratitude on the part of the victors whom Indra had favoured and whose greatness therefore they extol (12). The victory belonged to Mudgala is asserted twice as if to emphasise the fact; for we get, 'sahasram gavām mudgalaḥ pradhane jigāya' (5) and again jigāya satavat sahasram gavām mud galah planāj yeşu' (9). Similarly the fact of Mudgalāji being the driver is asserted twice, in "rathirabhūt mudgalāni' (2) and in 'sārathirasya keśī and this is implied in a third somewhat clever suggestion in fpcchanti sma nişpado mud galānīm' (6). The contest in which Mudgala and Mudgalādi participate is an 'aji' (1) a 'gavişti' (2) a 'pradhana' (5). There are three elements that seem to have brought success to Mudgala; for while speaking about the bull, it is said 'yena mudgalah jigāya' (5), so also while speaking of the ‘drughana''the Wooden Block or Mace' it is said that it was the associate of the bull, 'vrşabhasya yunjam' and through it Mudgala won the thousand, syena jigāya sahasram' (9). Mudgalāoi's driving too has been responsible in securing this victory and lastly there is the protection offered by Indra in response to the prayer in ‘ratham indro 'valu' and 'puruhūta no 'va' (1). At this contest the presence of murderous enemies, jighāmsatah abhidasatah and of the weapons of 'dasa' and an arya' is referred to. (3), the opponent is referred to as being attacked by the bull in ‘kūtam sma třmhat abhimātim eti' (4). Other graphic details supplied are that when Mudgalādi drove the chariot and won a thousand, the wind made her garment flow, ‘uta sma vāto vahati vaso asyah' (2); the bull had drunk a lake of water "udno hrdam apibat' (4) and with his shattering horn he attacked the opponent, kütam sma trịhat abhimatim eti' (4). This bull was a very vigorous and strong one, "muşkabharah' and during the contest they made the bull thunder and urinate, 'nyakrandayan amehayan vşşabham' (5). As the buil ran, the dung fell on the person of the driver, the lady Mudgalānī, ‘ycchanti sma nişpado mud galanim (6). The bull was, it appears, protected by Indra, 'indraudavat patim aghnyanām (8) and so it worked a wonder and seeing the cows gained strength (8). The Mace 'drughana' was the bull's companion at the chariot at the other side ‘drughanam vīşabhasya yuñjam' and this was allowed to lie on the battle-field, kaşthayah madhye śayānam', 9). Neither was grass for water taken to some one who carried