Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s17.120

v1.c3.s17.120

Talpa is the regular term for ‘bed’ or ‘couch’ from the Rigveda and the Atharvaveda¹ onwards.² One made of Udumbara wood is mentioned in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa.³ The violation of the bed of a Guru, or teacher, is already mentioned in the Chāndogya Upaniṣad,⁴ while the adjective talpya, ‘born in the nuptial couch,’ denotes ‘legitimate’ in the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa.⁵