Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s11.113

v1.c3.s11.113

Kapota is the name of a bird, probably the ‘pigeon’ (its sense in the later language), occurring from the Rigveda onwards.¹ It is associated in some passages² with the owl (Ulūka) as a messenger of Nirṛti (‘dissolution,’ ‘misfortune’). This aspect of the pigeon as a bird of evil omen is probably based on an ancient belief which is also found beyond the confines of India.³