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Sarama (Samskrit : सरमा) is Devashuni (Samskrit : देवशुनी) or the divine Mother of Dogs and Indra's subordinate as described in the Rig Veda. Her son is referred to as Saarameya || सारमेय  (Rig Veda 7.55.2).  Legend goes that Panis stole the divine cows (गोग्रहणम् || gograhanam) and hid them in caves. Devashuni or Sarama, by Indra's orders goes in search and locates them thereby 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).

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

== परिचय || Introduction ==

== परिचय || Introduction ==

In Srimad Bhagavatam (6.6.24 to 26)<ref>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 rishi and is the mother of all animals including tigers and lions.  

In Srimad Bhagavatam (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 rishi and is the mother of all animals including tigers and lions.  

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>  

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>  

मुनिः क्रोधवशा ताम्रा सुरभिः सरमा तिमिः । तिमेर्यादोगणा आसन्श्वापदाः सरमासुताः २६ (Bhag. Pura. 6.6.26)  

मुनिः क्रोधवशा ताम्रा सुरभिः सरमा तिमिः । तिमेर्यादोगणा आसन्श्वापदाः सरमासुताः २६ (Bhag. Pura. 6.6.26)  

"O King Parikṣit, 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, Kastha, Arista, Surasa, Ila, Muni, Krodhavasa, 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."

"O King Parikṣit, 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, Kastha, Arista, Surasa, Ila, Muni, Krodhavasa, 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" />

== व्युत्पत्तिः || Etymology ==

== व्युत्पत्तिः || Etymology ==

* Maharshi Yaska defines Sarama as सरमा सरणात् । (Nirukti 11.24)<ref>Nirukta ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%8F%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 11])</ref>  

* Maharshi Yaska defines Sarama as सरमा सरणात् । (Nirukti 11.24)<ref>Nirukta ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%8F%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 11])</ref>  

It means One who moves very fast or walks very fast.  

It means One who moves very fast or walks very fast.  

* According to Brahmanda purana,<ref>Brahmanda Puranam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AD Madhyamabhaga Adhyaya 7])</ref>  

In the Rigveda mantra Sarama is glorified thus<blockquote>विश्वे अस्या वयुषि माहिनायाः सं यद गोभिर अङगिरसो नवन्त | उत्स आसाम परमे सधस्थ रतस्य पथा सरमा विदद गाः || (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.  

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)

'''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 is compared to fragrance).  

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, Sveta, 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>).  

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

दुल्लोलकं ललोहं च सरमा द्वौ व्यजायत ॥ २,७.४४१ ॥ (Brah. Pura. 2.7.441)

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. 

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.

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)</blockquote>'''Meaning''' : During the dawn hours when the sacred Usha rises along with her rays, all 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 ऋत || rta recognized and found the cows.  

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.

'''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 rtasatya, (satyavrita) with greater speed and ahead of everyone she 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 ज्ञान || jnana (wisdom) is hidden through fragrance (sruthi is compared to fragrance).<ref>Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya, Part I''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>

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)</blockquote>'''Meaning''' : Here, urged by hands, loudly rang the pressing stone (using  which Somarasa is prepared) which was worshipped by Navagvas by offering archana 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.

Sri Sayanaacharya in this mantra explains

सरमा सरन सिलस्तितिरुपवक् || sarama sarana silastutirupavak

The '''10th mandala of Rig veda''' beautifully outlines the  सरमा-पणि संवादः || 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. 

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

However, in '''Brhaddevata 8.24-36,''' Sarama as in Rig Veda refuses bribes but is 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.

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

== संवादः || Discussion ==

 

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

guha tarini nihita neengayanti turiyam vaco manushyavadanti ||

चत्वारिवाक परिमितापदानितानि विदुर्ब्राह्मणाये मनीषिणः| गुहा तरीणि निहिता नेङगयन्ति तुरीयं वाचो मनुष्या वदन्ति || (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.  

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.  

== References ==

== References ==

# 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

# 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

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

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