Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s12.313

v1.c3.s12.313

While grazing the cattle were under the care of a herdsman (Gopā, Gopāla) armed with a goad,⁹ but they were liable to all sorts of dangers, such as being lost, falling into pits, breaking limbs,¹⁰ and being stolen. The marking of the ears of cattle was repeatedly adopted, no doubt, to indicate ownership.¹¹