[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.s18.475 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s18.475 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s18.475 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c3.s18.475](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s18.475) Dundubhi, apparently an onomatopoetic word, means ‘drum,’ as used in both war and peace. It is often mentioned from the Rigveda¹ onwards.² A special sort of drum was the ‘earth drum,’ made by digging a hole in the ground and covering it with a hide. This was employed in the Mahāvrata, a rite performed at the winter solstice, for the purpose of driving away influences hostile to the return of the sun.³ A ‘drum-beater’ is included in the list of sacrificial victims at the Puruṣamedha or ‘human sacrifice.’⁴ - [Previous: v1.c3.s18.474](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s18.474) - [Next: v1.c3.s18.476](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s18.476) - [Up: v1.c3.s18](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s18) ## Linked texts (1) - [Ṛgvedasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.samhita.rg) — Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s18.475](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s18.475) · Pramāṇa