"In sum, if we adopt a literalist approach, we must concede that the horse is as much an animal of the Dasyus as it is of the Aryas: the horse can no longer be seen as a marker for immigrating Indo-Aryans. The only way out of such self- inflicted conundrums is to abandon colonial readings of the Veda and to look deeper for what 'horse', 'bull' and 'cow' really stood for in the Vedic rishis' mind. Let us also note that contrary to what is often stated, the horse (or its symbol) is not the Veda's primary animal: that honour goes to the bull, a symbol of power and might, as in many other ancient cultures. Every powerful Vedic god—Indra, Agni, Varuna, Vishnu, Rudra, etc.—is praised as a bull, very rarely as a horse."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
M Danino in History of ancient India / editors, Dilip K. Chakrabarti and Makkhan Lal. v. 3. The texts, political history and administration, till c. 200 BC. I.2. The Horse and the Aryan Debate
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Cattle_in_religion_and_mythology
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Cattle in religion and mythology
19 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Cattle in religion and mythology →
Related Quotes
"The cow and horse, go and ashva, are constantly associated... A study of the Vedic horse led me to the conclusion tha…"
"It is impossible to read into the story of the Angirases, Indra and Sarama, the cave of the Panis and the conquest of…"
"Contrary to what is often stated, the horse (or its symbol) is not the `Rgveda’s foremost animal: that honour goes to…"
"The discovery of the sealing with the inscription Shaushtatar, son of Parshatatar, the king of Mitanni‘ (circa 1440 B…"
"There is a humped bull on the royal seals of Muwatalli II (c. 1295–1272 BC). The joint seals of Muwattalli II and Tan…"
"The importance of cattle in various aspects of the Gathic doctrine can be taken as certain. This importance can be ex…"
"The cows had settled in their stalls, the beasts of prey had sought their lairs, Extinguished were the lights of men,…"
"The Angirasas gained the whole enjoyment of the Pani, its herds of the cows and the horses."
"He “found the cattle, found the horses, found the plants, the forests and the waters”."
"Compassing those who bore away Dabhīti, in kindled fire he burnt up all their weapons. And made him rich with kine an…"