Changes

This episode glorifies the Vedas, the brahma jnanis and describes the nature of life, talks about the destination of iha and para () and the importance of brahma jnani achieving the knowledge. It is explained in very esoteric language.

Rig veda 10th mandala describes the legendary episode of Stealing of the divine Cows || गोग्रहणम् by the Panis. Devasuni Sarama, Indra’s dog followed their path and could locate them and with the help of Angirasa rushi Indra releases them from captivity. In this context appears a beautiful description of the discussion between the Panis and Sarama.

== Sarama||सरमा and Panis Samvaad सरमा-पणि सम्वादः ==

glorifies the Vedas, the brahma jnanis and describes the nature of life, talks about the destination of iha and para () and the importance of brahma jnani achieving the knowledge. It is explained in very esoteric language.

In the Rig veda 10th mandala there is a story about divine cows being stolen by Panis and being hidden in caves.  DevasuniSarama, Indra’s dog followed their path and could locate them and so helpedIndra release them. In this context appears a beautiful description of the discussion between the Panis and Sarama.  

RgVeda(10.108) describes the legendary theft of the divine cows, wherePaniswho were demons steal the cows and hide them in a cave. Indrasends his dog Saramain search of the lost divine cows and Sarama comes across Panis, with whomShe has an important discussion. This episode describes how Sarama requests Panis to return back the Cows and they inturn try to bribe or tempt her. Their conversation goes thus:

RgVeda(10.108) describes the legendary theft of the divine cows, where Panis who were demons steal the cows 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 inturn try to bribe or tempt her. Their conversation goes thus:  

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?”  

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?”  

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”  

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”  

Rig (10.108.7 and 8)Saramaspoke:“Ohpanis! 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!”

As forth goes the Rg mantra The Panis spoke with great anger “Ye Sarama! We are not so foolish to give up the cows without a fight. We have got all kinds of sharp weapons.”

As forth goes the Rg mantra The Panis spoke with great anger “Ye Sarama! We are not so foolish to give up the cows without a fight. We have got all kinds of sharp weapons.”

Sarama spoke “this is not befitting for warriors. Your body is not meant for arrows as it is full of sin. As your path is not dharmic, even Brihaspathiwill not spare you.” ThePanis retorted, “This is mountainous terrain and so for someone to come here is difficult and the cows are safely hidden. We have all kinds of security, horses and unlimited prosperity and our soldiers are alert. Therefore, your coming is useless.”

Sarama spoke “this is not befitting for warriors. Your body is not meant for arrows as it is full of sin. As your path is not dharmic, even Brihaspathi will not spare you.” The Panis retorted, “This is mountainous terrain and so for someone to come here is difficult and the cows are safely hidden. We have all kinds of security, horses and unlimited prosperity and our soldiers are alert. Therefore, your coming is useless.”

Sarama replies, “the unwearied Angirasas and Navagvas who have drunk the powerful Soma rasa will come and they will distribute those cows with themselves then your words will be futile and useless.”

Sarama replies, “the unwearied Angirasas and Navagvas who have drunk the powerful Soma rasa will come and they will distribute those cows within themselves then your words will be futile and useless.”

The panis then give up threatening Sarama and use samadanopaya to entice her to join them. “Ye Sarama, you would not have come if the devathas had not forced you to travel this far, you shall be our sister. Do not go back, stay here and we will give you the cows.

The Panis then give up threatening Sarama and use samadanopaya to entice her to join them. “Ye Sarama, you would not have come if the devathas had not forced you to travel this far, you shall be our sister. Do not go back, stay here and we will give you the cows.

Sarama is not tempted, he says, “I know not what you are saying, about making me your sister. I know who Indra and Angirasaare. They who are “gokaamaa or long for the cows” when I departedand Brihaspathi, Soma, Angirasahave found them when hidden. (Rg Veda 10.108.22)

Sarama is not tempted, says, “I know not what you are saying, about making me your sister. I know who Indra and Angirasaare. They who are “gokaamaa or long for the cows” when I departed and Brihaspathi, Soma, Angirasa have found them when hidden. (Rg Veda 10.108.22)

This sukta doesn’t continue further with the story, but in Saunaka’s “brihaddevatha” chapter 8 and from the other part of Vedas, we have collected and continued the story. In Sayana’s commentary, it is mentioned that Sarama’s episode with the Panis was communicated to Indra who kills them and brings back the cows.  

This sukta doesn’t continue further with the story, but in Saunaka’s “Brihaddevatha” chapter 8 and from the other part of Vedas the legend is continued.  

== Description in the Brihad devatha ==

== Legend in Brihaddevatha ==

8. Description in the Brihaddevatha:Sarama after saying that she does not have any relationship with them, says that she did not desire any prosperity or money but wanted a little milk from those divine cows that Panis had hid.  

Sarama after saying that she does not have any relationship with Panis, says that she did not desire any prosperity or money but wanted a little milk from those divine cows that Panis had hid. sabradim naha iccamisasvathavam vadhananiva ide yamthu payastha samgavam yastha niguhathaha|| (8.30). 

||sabradimnahaiccamisasvathavamvadhananiva ide yamthupayasthasamgavamyasthaniguhathaha|| (8.30). 

Saramaby her nature not being too strong (“svabhavascalaulyasca”) was tempted by the offer of cow milk.Sarama was very appreciative of the milk and she crossed the Rasanadi and gave Indra a false report. Indrarealised that Sarama’s report was false and wondered at the reason for the change in the character of Sarama.

Saramaby her nature not being too strong (“svabhavasca laulyasca”) was tempted by the offer of cow milk.Sarama was very appreciative of the milk and she crossed the Rasanadi and gave Indra a false report. Indrarealised that Sarama’s report was false and wondered at the reason for the change in the character of Sarama.

Saunaka explained that Sarama changed because of ‘prabhavathasurasthu“, that is even though the milk of cows was divine, but because of the Asuric influence, Sarama’s character had changed. Then Indra using his power kicked Sarama to get out the real truth and immediately Sarama vomited all the milk given by demons  

Saunaka explained that Sarama changed because of ‘prabhavathasurasthu“, that is even though the milk of cows was divine, but because of the Asuric influence, Sarama’s character had changed. Then Indra using his power kicked Sarama to get out the real truth and immediately Sarama vomited all the milk given by demons  

||taamjaganpadankruddahaudgiranthu hi payasthatha ha||  

||taamjaganpadankruddahaudgiranthu hi payasthatha ha||  

||sabradim naha iccamisa svathavamva dhananiva ide yamthu payasthasam gavamyasthaniguhathaha|| (8.30). Tempted by the milk Sarme after drinking the water and her nature not being too strong (“svabhavasca laulyas ca”) she was tempted by the milk. Sarme was very appreciative of the milk and she crossed the Rasanadi and gave Indra a false report. Indra realised that Sarme’s report was false and wondered at the reason for the change in the character of Sarme? Saunaka explained that Sarme changed because of ‘prabhavath asurasthu“, that is even though the milk of cows was divine, but because of the Asuric influence, Sarme’s character had changed. Then Indra using his power kicked Sarme to get out the real truth and immediately Sarme vomited all the milk given by demons ||taam jagan padankruddahaudgiranthu hi payasthatha ha|| Sarme became very fearful and in her fear she walked towards the place of Panis. Indra who had followed Sarme on his Ari vahana killed all the panis and brought back the cows. 

||sabradim naha iccamisa svathavamva dhananiva ide yamthu payasthasam gavamyasthaniguhathaha|| (8.30). Tempted by the milk Sarme after drinking the water and her nature not being too strong (“svabhavasca laulyas ca”) she was tempted by the milk. Sarme was very appreciative of the milk and she crossed the Rasanadi and gave Indra a false report. Indra realised that Sarme’s report was false and wondered at the reason for the change in the character of Sarme? Saunaka explained that Sarme changed because of ‘prabhavath asurasthu“, that is even though the milk of cows was divine, but because of the Asuric influence, Sarme’s character had changed. Then Indra using his power kicked Sarme to get out the real truth and immediately Sarme vomited all the milk given by demons ||taam jagan padankruddahaudgiranthu hi payasthatha ha|| Sarme became very fearful and in her fear she walked towards the place of Panis. Indra who had followed Sarme on his Ari vahana killed all the panis and brought back the cows. 

== The perspective of the Westerns ==

== The perspective of the Westerns ==