[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.s17.133 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s17.133 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s17.133 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c3.s17.133](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s17.133) Taskara occurs in the Rigveda¹ and frequently later,² denoting ‘thief’ or ‘robber.’ It appears to be practically synonymous with Stena, in connexion with which it is often mentioned.³ The Stena and the Taskara are contrasted in the Vājasaneyi Saṃhitā⁴ with the Malimlu, who is a burglar or house-breaker, while they are highwaymen, or, as the Rigveda⁵ puts it, ‘men who haunt the woods and risk their lives’ (\*tanū-tyajā vanar-gū\*). In another passage of the Rigveda,⁶ however, the dog is told to bark at the Taskara or the Stena, which clearly points to an attempt at house-breaking. The thief goes about at night,⁷ and knows the pâths⁸ on which he attacks his victim. In one passage of the Rigveda⁹ the use of cords is mentioned, but whether to bind the thieves when captured, or to bind the victim, is not clear.¹⁰ The Atharvaveda¹¹ refers to the Stena and the Taskara as cattle and horse thieves.¹² - [Previous: v1.c3.s17.132](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s17.132) - [Next: v1.c3.s17.134](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s17.134) - [Up: v1.c3.s17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s17) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s17.133](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s17.133) · Pramāṇa