Changes

Sarama (Samskrit : सरमा) is the divine Dog Mother, who serves Indra, the leader of devatas. Upon Indra's orders, Sarama, along with the guidance of Angirasa rishis, locate the lost divine cows and with their help Indra releases them from captivity. In this context appears a beautiful description of the discussion between the Panis and Sarama in the 10th mandala of Rig Veda. The legendary episode of stealing of the divine Cows || गोग्रहणम् by the Panis who are a class of tradesmen with no regard for yajnas or vedic principles is also mentioned in other ancient texts.  

Sarama (Samskrit : सरमा) is the देवशुनी or divine Dog Mother, who serves Indra, the leader of devatas. Upon Indra's orders,देवशुनी Sarama, along with the guidance of Angirasa rishi, locate the lost divine cows and with their help Indra releases them from captivity. In this context appears a beautiful description of the discussion between the Panis and Sarama in the 10th mandala of Rig Veda. The legendary episode of stealing of the divine Cows || गोग्रहणम् by the Panis who are a class of tradesmen with no regard for yajnas or vedic principles is also mentioned in other ancient texts.<ref>Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya, Part I''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>

== परिचय || Introduction ==

== परिचय || Introduction ==

Panis are basically tradesmen who were prominent class of people along with Dasyus and Asuras, intelligent, powerful having a materialistic outlook. Nirukta describes them as tightfisted, shrewd business-minded people with no regard for yajnas and charity. The conflict between Indra and Panis was mainly due to the refusal of Panis to contribute Dana and Dakshina for Yajna. Wealth in those days was mainly the strength of cattle and property. RgVeda (10.108) describes the legendary theft of the divine cows, where Panis who were demons, steal and hide them in a cave. Indra sends his dog Sarama in search of the lost divine cows and Sarama comes across Panis, with whom she has an important discussion. This episode describes how Sarama requests Panis to return back the cows and they in turn try to bribe or tempt her. Their conversation goes thus:

Panis are basically tradesmen who were prominent class of people along with Dasyus and Asuras, intelligent, powerful having a materialistic outlook. Nirukta describes them as tightfisted, shrewd business-minded people with no regard for yajnas and charity. The conflict between Indra and Panis was mainly due to the refusal of Panis to contribute Dana and Dakshina 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> RigVeda (10.108) describes the legendary theft of the divine cows and the quest of देवशुनी सरमा to locate them.

Rig (10.108.1 and 2) Panis said: Oh Sarama, what do you want and why have you traveled such a long distance. This is a difficult path and there is the river rasa right in the middle of the road. How did you cross the river and why did you make the effort? Why have you come here?

किमिच्छन्ती सरमा प्रेदमानड्दूरे ह्यध्वा जगुरिः पराचैः । कास्मेहितिः का परितक्म्यासीत्कथं रसाया अतरः पयांसि ॥१॥ (Rig, Veda. 10.108.1)<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>

Rig (10.108. 3 and 4) Saramareplies, Oh panis, I come as the messenger of Indra. The cow wealth are our treasure and I came here looking for them. The river gave way to us in fear as it knew that if it didnt we would take over it.

Panis said: Oh Sarama, what do you want and why have you traveled such a long distance. This is a difficult path and there is the river rasa right in the middle of the road. How did you cross the river and why did you make the effort? Why have you come here?

Rig (10.108.5 and 6)Thepanis spoke Oh you are only a servant, yet you have such power? If you have so much power, imagine how much powerful your master Indra must be? We should befriend Sarama. Let Indra become the master of cows  

कीदृङ्ङिन्द्रः सरमे का दृशीका यस्येदं दूतीरसरः पराकात् । आ च गच्छान्मित्रमेना दधामाथा गवां गोपतिर्नो भवाति ॥३॥ (Rig. Veda 10.108.3)

 

नाहं तं वेद दभ्यं दभत्स यस्येदं दूतीरसरं पराकात् । न तं गूहन्ति स्रवतो गभीरा हता इन्द्रेण पणयः शयध्वे ॥४॥ (Rig. Veda 10.108. 4)

 

 

 

असेन्या वः पणयो वचांस्यनिषव्यास्तन्वः सन्तु पापीः । अधृष्टो व एतवा अस्तु पन्था बृहस्पतिर्व उभया न मृळात् ॥६॥ (Rig. Veda 10.108. 5)  

 

The Panis spoke, Oh you are only a servant, yet you have such power? If you have so much power, imagine how much powerful your master Indra must be? We should befriend Sarama. Let Indra become the master of cows.

Rig (10.108.7 and 8)Saramaspoke:Oh panis! Indra can’t be destroyed. He can destroy all of you! The fact that I have come here shows Indra’s power. No river, however deep can keep Indra away!

Rig (10.108.7 and 8)Saramaspoke:Oh panis! Indra can’t be destroyed. He can destroy all of you! The fact that I have come here shows Indra’s power. No river, however deep can keep Indra away!