[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.s21.383 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s21.383 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s21.383 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c3.s21.383](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s21.383) Parasvant denotes a large wild animal which Roth¹ conjectures to be the wild ass. It is mentioned in the Vṛṣākapi hymn² of the Rigveda, twice in the Atharvaveda,³ and in the list of victims at the Aśvamedha (‘horse sacrifice’) in the Yajurveda Saṃhitās,⁴ in all of which passages the sense of ‘wild ass’ is satisfactory. More doubtful is the meaning of the word paraśvā(n) in the Kauṣītaki Upaniṣad,⁵ where the commentator explains it as ‘serpent.’ It is, of course, quite possible that the word has nothing to do with parasvant. Bühler⁶ suggests connexion with the Pāli palāsāda, ‘rhinoceros.’ - [Previous: v1.c3.s21.382](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s21.382) - [Next: v1.c3.s21.384](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s21.384) - [Up: v1.c3.s21](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s21) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s21.383](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s21.383) · Pramāṇa