Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s16.350

v1.c3.s16.350

Jyā is the regular word for ‘bowstring’ in the Rigveda¹ and later.² The making of bowstrings was a special craft, as is shown by the occurrence of the Jyā-kāra, or ‘maker of bowstrings,’ among the victims at the Puruṣamedha, or human sacrifice, in the Yajurveda.³ The bowstring consisted of a thong of ox-hide.⁴ It was not usually kept taut,⁵ but was specially tightened when the bow was to be used.⁶ The sound of the bowstring (*jyā-ghoṣa*) is referred to in the Atharvaveda.⁷ *Cf.* Ārtnī.