[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.s16.350 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s16.350 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s16.350 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c3.s16.350](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.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. - [Previous: v1.c3.s16.349](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s16.349) - [Next: v1.c3.s16.351](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s16.351) - [Up: v1.c3.s16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s16) ## Linked texts (2) - [Ṛgvedasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.samhita.rg) — Sanskrit - [Atharvavedasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.samhita.atharva) — Atharvan & Aṅgiras, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s16.350](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s16.350) · Pramāṇa