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Sarama (Sanskrit :सरमा) or Devashuni (Sanskrit : देवशुनी) is referred to as the Mother of Dogs and Indra's subordinate in the Rig Veda. Her son is referred to as Saarameya || सारमेय  (Rig Veda 7.55.2). Legend goes that  गोग्रहणम् || gograhanam (the divine cows were stolen) by Panis and hidden in caves. Devashuni or Sarama, under Indra's orders locates them and helps Indra release them. Rig veda has many references of Sarama (1.62.3, 1.72.8, 3.31.6, 4.16.8, 5.45.7 and 8, and in mandala 10).

In Srimad Bhagavata (6.6.24 to 26)<ref name=":0">Srimad Bhagavatapuranam English Translation ([http://bhagavata.org/canto6/chapter6.html Skanda 6 Adhyaya 6])</ref> it is said that Sarama is the wife of Kashyapa rshi and is the mother of all animals including tigers and lions. <blockquote>शृणु नामानि लोकानां मातॄणां शङ्कराणि च ।। २४ (Bhag. Pura. 6.6.24)<ref>Srimad Bhagavatapuranam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AC/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AC Skanda 6 Adhaya 6])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>अथ कश्यपपत्नीनां यत्प्रसूतमिदं जगत् । अदितिर्दितिर्दनुः काष्ठा अरिष्टा सुरसा इला ।। २५ (Bhag. Pura. 6.6.25)</blockquote><blockquote>मुनिः क्रोधवशा ताम्रा सुरभिः सरमा तिमिः । तिमेर्यादोगणा आसन्श्वापदाः सरमासुताः २६ (Bhag. Pura. 6.6.26)</blockquote><blockquote>śṛṇu nāmāni lokānāṃ mātṝṇāṃ śaṅkarāṇi ca ।। 24 (Bhag. Pura. 6.6.24)</blockquote><blockquote>atha kaśyapapatnīnāṃ yatprasūtamidaṃ jagat । aditirditirdanuḥ kāṣṭhā ariṣṭā surasā ilā ।। 25 (Bhag. Pura. 6.6.25)</blockquote><blockquote>muniḥ krodhavaśā tāmrā surabhiḥ saramā timiḥ । timeryādogaṇā āsanśvāpadāḥ saramāsutāḥ 26 (Bhag. Pura. 6.6.26)</blockquote>Summary : "O King Parikshit, now please hear from me the names of Kasyapa's wives, from whose wombs the population of the entire universe has come. They are the mothers of almost all the population of the entire universe and their names are very auspicious to hear. They are Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kashtha, Arishta, Surasa, Ila, Muni, Krodhavasha, Tamra, Surabhi, Sarama and Timi. From the womb of Timi, all the aquatics took birth and from the womb of Sarama, the ferocious animals like the tigers and lions took birth."<ref name=":0" />

== परिचय || Introduction ==

Syama and Sabala, sons of Sarama, were two prominent messengers of [[Yama Deva (यमदेवः)|Yama]] and they possessed four eyes each. The offsprings of these dogs are called Sarameyas. Other instances where Sarama is mentioned in different texts include

In Srimad Bhaagavatam (6.6.24 to 26) it is said that Sarama is the wife of Kashyapa rishi and is the mother of all animals including tigers and lions.

- Sarama worships Brahma in his court. (Sabha Parva, Chapter 11 , Verse 40).  

Parīkṣit, now please hear from me the names of Kaśyapa's wives, from whose wombs the population of the entire universe has come. They are the mothers of almost all the population of the entire universe and their names are very auspicious to hear. They are Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kāṣţhā, Ariṣţā, Surasā, Ilā, Muni, Krodhavaśā, Tāmrā, Surabhi, Saramā and Timi. From the womb of Timi all the aquatics took birth, and from the womb of Saramā the ferocious animals like

* Maharshi Yaska defines Sarama as ''“सरमसरनथ्  || saramasaranath (Nirukti 11.25)''

* Sri Sayanaacharya, explains Sarama as ''“सरमा वाक् देवशुनिव  || sarama vak devasuniva'' (Rig. Veda. Bhasyam 4.46.8)  

It means symbolically “vak the power of speech. The माध्यमिक || Madhyamika power of speech is accepted in Nairukta Paksha and “Devashuni word is accepted by historians also.

- Sarama is a graha (Evil spirit) of Subrahmanya which enters the womb of pregnant women and steals the babies. (Vana Parva. Chapter 230, Verse 34).  

In the Rg mantra Sarama is glorified thus<blockquote>"''विश्वे अस्या वयुषि माहिनायाः सं यद गोभिर अङगिरसो नवन्त | <br>

उत्स आसाम परमे सधस्थ रतस्य पथा सरमा विदद गाः ||'' ''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''viśve asyā vyuṣi māhināyāḥ saṃ yad ghobhir aṅghiraso navanta |''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''utsa āsām parame sadhastha ṛtasya pathā saramā vidad ghāḥ || (Rig Veda 5.45.8)''"</blockquote>'''''Meaning''' : Angirasa, who during the morning hours along with Usha Devi, came with the cows and at that time the milk flowing from cow’s udders was offered in yajna. Sarama recognized and found the cows on the path of the रथ  || ratha. ''

'''Esoteric Meaning''' :Here the cows are considered as transcendental knowledge and their moving about for grazing during उषः काल || ushah kala (morning hours) is called the time for ज्ञानोदय || jnanodaya (awakening of knowledge). For Angirasa to receive this knowledge, Sarama was very important and Sarama moves on into the path of rithasatya, (satyavrita) with greater speed and ahead of everyone she was able to locate the cows. This is Sarama’s rita path or the path of truth. She who moves very fast can understand the deepest place where ज्ञान || jnana (wisdom) is hidden through fragrance (sruthi fragrance).  

- Syama is a dog which followed Yama. It was one of the two offsprings of Sarama. (Brahmanda Purana 3.7. 312).

In the previous mantra, Sarama and her work is explained <blockquote>"''रतं यती सरमा गा अविन्दद विश्वानि सत्याङगिराश चकार ||'' "</blockquote><blockquote>"''ṛtaṃ yatī saramā ghā avindad viśvāni satyāṅghirāś cakāra ||  (Rig Veda 5.45.7)''"</blockquote>'''Meaning''' : Here, urged by hands, loudly rang the press-stone where with Navagvas sang praises for ten months . Saramā went and found the cattle. Aṅgiras gave effect to all their labors.

- Sarama after having once drunk milk from dasyus lied about it to Indra, and he punished her. (Varaha Purana). (Page 694 of Reference <ref name=":12">Mani, V. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.</ref>)

'''Esoteric Meaning''' :She Sarama, yajna which is compared to path of सत्य || satya or ऋतुरूप || ruturupa, she enters faster and recognizes the cows and Angirasa in all his yajnas was able to make it happen truthfully. This is connection between yajnatattva --the theology of yajna, rath and satya, and Sarama and Angirasa’s tapsya for jnana.

== Loyalty of Sarama ==

== व्युत्पत्तिः || Etymology ==

The '''10th mandala of Rig veda''' beautifully outlines the सरमा-पणि सम्वादः || Sarama and Panis Samvaadaha wherein Sarama tries to convince the Panis to return the stolen cows. The Panis in turn try to lure Sarama by offering her the herdship of the cows and state her loyalty to them. According to Rig Veda Sarama remains loyal to Indra and threatens the Panis of inviting the wrath of Indra if the cows are not returned to him. She then goes back to Indra and he with the help of Angirasa rushi retrieves the cows after defeating Panis.

<blockquote>क्रोधायाः कन्यका जज्ञे द्वादशैवात्मसंभवाः । ता भार्या पुलहस्यासन्नामतो मे निबोधत ॥ २,७.१७१ ॥ (Brah. Pura. 2.7.171) मृगी च मृगमन्दा च हरिभद्रा त्विरावती । भूता च कपिशा दंष्ट्रा ऋषा तिर्या तथैव च ॥ २,७.१७२ ॥ (Brah. Pura. 2.7.172) श्वेता च सरमा चैव सुरसा चेति विश्रुता । मृग्यास्तु हरिगाः पुत्रा मृगश्चान्ये शशास्तथा ॥ २,७.१७३ ॥ (Brah. Pura. 2.7.173)</blockquote><blockquote>krodhāyāḥ kanyakā jajñe dvādaśaivātmasaṃbhavāḥ । tā bhāryā pulahasyāsannāmato me nibodhata ॥ 2,7.171 ॥ (Brah. Pura. 2.7.171) mṛgī ca mṛgamandā ca haribhadrā tvirāvatī । bhūtā ca kapiśā daṃṣṭrā ṛṣā tiryā tathaiva ca ॥ 2,7.172 ॥ (Brah. Pura. 2.7.172) śvetā ca saramā caiva surasā ceti viśrutā । mṛgyāstu harigāḥ putrā mṛgaścānye śaśāstathā ॥ 2,7.173 ॥ (Brah. Pura. 2.7.173)</blockquote>Meaning : Sarama was one of the 12 daughters of Kashyapa and Krodha. They became the wives of Pulaha. Their names are Mrigi, Mrigamanda, Haribhadra, Iravati, Bhuta, Kapisha, Damshtra, Rsha, Tirya, Shveta, Sarama, Surasa. They were all well renowned. The progeny of Mrigi are the deers, antilopes and rabbits (Page 452 of Reference 4<ref name=":1">Tagare, G. V. (1958) [https://archive.org/details/BrahmandaPuranaG.V.TagarePart2 Brahmanda Purana (Madhyabhaga Upodghatabhaga) English Translation, Part 3] Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass </ref>). <blockquote>दुल्लोलकं ललोहं च सरमा द्वौ व्यजायत ॥ २,७.४४१ ॥ (Brah. Pura. 2.7.441)</blockquote><blockquote>dullolakaṃ lalohaṃ ca saramā dvau vyajāyata ॥ 2,7.441 ॥ (Brah. Pura. 2.7.441)</blockquote>Meaning : Sarama gave birth to Dyuloka and Laloha.(Page 474 of Reference 4<ref name=":1" />)

The Mahabharata contains a story about Sarama cursing Janamejaya. Janamejaya along with his brother once performed a yajna of long duration at Kuruksetra. While the yajna was going on, a dog (son of Sarama, the female dog of the Devas) came there. The three brothers of Janamejaya beat the dog which returned to its mother, Sarama, crying. The mother asked him whether he had done anything to deserve the beating, and he answered thus : "No, mother, I had done nothing wrong. I did not lick the havis (oblations), nor did I even look at it." Hearing her son's reply Sarama in deep anguish, went to Kuruksetra and questioned Janamejaya as to why her innocent son was beaten by his brothers. Neither he nor his brothers replied to Sarama, and she cursed Janamejaya that he would be subjected to adrstaphala (unforeseen results). Bhima II, son of King Pariksit and brother of Janamejaya who, at the yajna conducted at Kuruksetra attacked, without reason, the son of Sarama. This curse upset Janamejaya so much that after the Sarpa Satra was over and on his return to Hastinapura he made a search for a Purohita (priest) competent enough to redeem him from his sins, and at last he invited Somasravas, son of the great sage Srutasravas to be his Purohita, and thus did Somasravas become the priest of Janamejaya (Adi Parva, Chapter 3).

[[Panis (पणिकाः)|Panis]] are basically tradesmen who were prominent class of people along with Dasyus and [[Asura|Asuras]], intelligent, powerful having a materialistic outlook. [[Nirukta]] describes them as tightfisted, shrewd business-minded people with no regard for [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|yajnas]] (यज्ञ) and charity. The conflict between Indra and Panis was mainly due to the refusal of Panis to contribute to Dana (दानम्) and Dakshina (दक्षिणा) for Yajna. Wealth in those days was mainly the strength of cattle and property.<ref>Prasad, Prakash Charan. (1977) ''[https://books.google.co.in/books?id=RSW8az3Q_dEC&lpg=PA7&pg=PA21#v=onepage&q&f=false Foreign Trade and Commerce in Ancient India.]'' New Delhi : Abhinav Publications</ref>

However, in '''Brhaddevata 8.24-36,''' Sarama lured by the milk of the Cows transfers her loyalties to Panis. When When she returns to Indra and refuses to disclose the hideout of the cows, Indra kicks her in a rage.  She vomits out the milk received as a bribe, and then goes back to trace the Panis.

Rigveda (10.108)<ref>Rig Veda ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AE Mandala 10, Sukta 108])</ref> describes the legendary theft of the divine cows and the quest of Devashuni Sarama to locate them. A conversation between [[Sarama Pani Samvada (सरमापणिसंवादः)|Sarama and Panis]] takes place after she crosses the Rasa (रसा) river, where the Panis hide the cows in the caves.<ref>Satavalekar, Pt. Sripada Damodara. (1985) ''[http://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_IV/#book/501 Rigved ka subodh bhasya, Volume 4.]'' Paradi : Svadhyaya Mandal</ref> Once Panis stole some cows and hid them in some unknown place. Indra asked Sarama, the female dog of the Devas to find out and inform him where the cows were kept concealed.  Indra acted according to the advice of Angiras. Sarama replied that she was prepared to do so, if Indra would give milk to her child and look after it in her absence. Indra undertook that task and the  female dog went out and found out the place where the cows were hidden and reported it to Indra, (Rgveda, 1st Mandala, 11th Anuvaka, 62nd Sukta) .

In the '''Jaimineeya Brahmana, 2.440-442''' devatas first send SuparNa, the eagle or the Sun-bird.  However, the PaNis bribe him into silence, and he accepts their gifts and returns without any information.  The enraged Gods strangle him, and he vomits out the curds, etc. received from the PaNis. Then the Gods send SaramA.  She crosses the river Rasa and approaches the Panis.  She is also offered bribes, but (as in the Rigveda) she refuses their blandishments and returns to Indra with the information that the cows are hidden inside the RasA.  She and her descendants are then blessed by a grateful Indra.

Rasatala is the residence of the notorious Nivatakavaca-Kalakeyas. They were enemies of the devas and they tormented them in many ways. The majestic authority of Mahavisnu decreased their virility. They are now living in Rasatala frightened by the threats and beatings with a magic wand of Sarama, a mantrarupini (a sacred chant incarnate) deputed by Indra. (Page 581 of reference<ref name=":12" />)

== सम्वाद || Discussion ==

In the Rigveda mantra Sarama is glorified thus,<blockquote>विश्वे अस्या व्युषि माहिनायाः सं यद्गोभिरङ्गिरसो नवन्त | उत्स आसां परमे सधस्थ ऋतस्य पथा सरमा विदद्गाः || (Rig Veda 5.45.8)<ref name=":2">Rig Veda ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AB.%E0%A5%AA%E0%A5%AB Mandala 5, Sukta 45])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>viśve asyā vyuṣi māhināyāḥ saṃ yadgobhiraṅgiraso navanta | utsa āsāṃ parame sadhastha ṛtasya pathā saramā vidadgāḥ || (Rig Veda 5.45.8)</blockquote>'''Meaning''' : During the dawn hours when the sacred Usha rises along with her rays, all [[Angirasa (अङ्गिरसः)|Angirasas]] took the milk flowing from cow’s udders and placed it at a lofty position to offer in yajnas. Sarama by traveling on the path of the yajna with the knowledge of [[Rta (ऋतम्)|rta]] (ऋतम्) recognized and found the cows.

Sri Sayanaacharya in this mantra explains

सरमा सरन सिलस्तितिरुपवक् || “sarama sarana silastutirupavak

'''Esoteric Meaning''' :Here, the cows are considered as transcendental knowledge and their moving about for grazing during usha kala (उषः कालः | morning hours) is called the time for jnanodaya (ज्ञानोदयः | awakening of knowledge). For Angirasa, to receive this knowledge, Sarama was very important and Sarama moves on into the path of rtasatya (ऋतसत्यम्) with greater speed and ahead of everyone she (सत्यवृत्ता । satyavrtta) was able to locate the cows. This is Sarama’s rta path or the path of truth. She who moves very fast can understand the deepest place where jnana (ज्ञानम् | wisdom) is hidden through fragrance (shruti | श्रुतिः is compared to fragrance).<ref name=":3">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya, Part I''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>

Rig veda explains that Vak exists in four forms, three of which are hidden and are comprehensible to only the jnanis and the fourth is what men speak

In the previous mantra, Sarama and her work is explained. <blockquote>अनूनोदत्र हस्तयतो अद्रिरार्चन्येन दश मासो नवग्वाः । ऋतं यती सरमा गा अविन्दद्विश्वानि सत्याङ्गिराश्चकार ॥७॥ (Rig Veda 5.45.7)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>anūnodatra hastayato adrirārcanyena daśa māso navagvāḥ । ṛtaṃ yatī saramā gā avindadviśvāni satyāṅgirāścakāra ॥7॥ (Rig Veda 5.45.7)</blockquote>'''Meaning''' : Here, urged by hands, loudly rang the pressing stone (using which Somarasa | सोमरसः is prepared) which was worshipped by Navagvas by offering archana (अर्चना) and singing songs of praise for ten months. In this yajna, Sarama obtained the knowledge of the songs, and Angiras gave effect to all their labors.<ref name=":3" />

 

The '''[[Mandala 10|10th mandala]] of Rigveda''' beautifully outlines the [[Sarama Pani Samvada (सरमापणिसंवादः)|Sarama and Panis Samvada]] ( सरमापणिसंवादः) wherein Sarama tries to convince the Panis to return the stolen cows. The Panis in turn try to lure Sarama by offering her the herdship of the cows and state her loyalty to them.  According to Rigveda, Sarama remains loyal to Indra and threatens the Panis of inviting the wrath of Indra if the cows are not returned to him. She then goes back to Indra and he with the help of Angirasa rishi retrieves the cows after defeating Panis.

गुहा तरीणि निहिता नेङगयन्ति तुरीयं वाचो मनुष्या वदन्ति || (The Rig Veda 1.164.45)

The cows hidden in caves at a lofty mountainous location could be traced by the intelligent rishis. It is explained that the divine speech of Vedas has one such special power wherein one who is engaged in the vedic study such a jnani (similar to Angirasa) by the power of Vedas is able to 'experience and see’. Such knowledge which can be experienced by concept is called Sarama.  

Rigveda explains that Vak (वाक्) exists in four forms, three of which are hidden and are comprehensible to only the jnanis (ज्ञानी) and the fourth is what men speak.<blockquote>चत्वारिवाक परिमितापदानितानि विदुर्ब्राह्मणाये मनीषिणः| गुहा तरीणि निहिता नेङगयन्ति तुरीयं वाचो मनुष्या वदन्ति || (Rig. Veda. 1.164.45)</blockquote><blockquote>catvārivāka parimitāpadānitāni vidurbrāhmaṇāye manīṣiṇaḥ| guhā tarīṇi nihitā neṅagayanti turīyaṃ vāco manuṣyā vadanti || (Rig. Veda. 1.164.45)</blockquote>The cows hidden in caves at a lofty mountainous location could be traced by the intelligent rishis. It is explained that the divine speech of Vedas has one such special power wherein one (a jnani similar to Angirasa) who is engaged in the vedic study, by the power of Vedas, is able to 'experience and see’. Such knowledge which can be experienced by concept is called Sarama.  

Therefore here the ज्ञान || jnana is compared to the fragrance of the स्रुथि || sruthi which can be recognized by the transcendental senses. In this way recognition of fragrance by श्वन || shvana (Indra’s dog) is important.

Therefore, here, the jnana (ज्ञानम्) is compared to the fragrance of shruti (श्रुतिः) which can be recognized by the transcendental senses. In this way, recognition of fragrance by shvana (श्वनः | here, Indra’s dog) is important.<ref name=":3" />

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Vedas]]

# SaramA and the PaNis: A Mythological Theme in the Rigveda from the site http://voiceofdharma.org/books/rig/ch10.htm http://www.transliteral.org/dictionary/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%80/word

[[Category:Devatas]]

# http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rvsan/rv07055.htm