[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Vedic Index of Names and Subjects](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912) › v1.c3.s12.317 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s12.317 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s12.317 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c3.s12.317](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s12.317) Large herds of cattle were well-known, as is shown by the Dānastutis, or ‘praises of gifts,’ in the Rigveda,¹² even when allowances are made for the exaggeration of priestly gratitude. The importance attached to the possession of cattle is shown¹³ by the numerous passages in which the gods are asked to prosper them, and by the repeated prayers¹⁴ for wealth in kine. Hence, too, forays for cattle (Gaviṣṭi) were well known; the Bharata host is called the ‘horde desiring cows’ (gavyan grāmaḥ) in the Rigveda;¹⁵ and a verbal root gup,¹⁶ ‘to protect,’ was evolved as early as the Rigveda from the denominative go-pāya, ‘to guard cows.’ The Vedic poets¹⁷ do not hesitate to compare their songs with the lowing of cows, or to liken the choir of the singing Apsarases to cows.¹⁸ - [Previous: v1.c3.s12.316](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s12.316) - [Next: v1.c3.s12.318](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s12.318) - [Up: v1.c3.s12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s12) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s12.317](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s12.317) · Pramāṇa