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Chapter 10 (Appendix 3)
SaramA and the PaNis : A Mythological Theme in the Rigveda
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The myth of SaramA and the PaNis is found in the Rigveda X.108.
The hymn, as Griffith notes, �is a colloquy between SaramA, the messenger of the Gods or of Indra� and the PaNis or envious demons who have carried off the cows or rays of light which Indra wishes to recover�.1
But, according to Macdonell, the hymn is about �the capture by Indra of the cows of the PaNis� (who) possess herds of cows which they keep hidden in a cave far beyond the RasA, a mythical river. SaramA, Indra�s messenger, tracks the cows and asks for them in Indra�s name, but is mocked by the PaNis.�2
Clearly, there is a basic difference in the above descriptions of the myth: Griffith�s description suggests that the cows were stolen by the PaNis, and are sought to be recovered by Indra; Macdonell�s description suggests that the cows belong to the PaNis and are coveted by Indra.
The myth is a complex one, which has developed many shades and facets in the Rigveda itself. We will examine this myth as follows:
I. Development of the Vedic myth.
II. The PaNis in Teutonic Mythology.
III. SaramA and the PaNis in Greek Mythology.
IV. Mythology and History.
Footnotes :
1. HOR, fn.X.108.
2. VM, p.63
Author : Shrikant G. Talageri
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