[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) › v2.c4.331 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.331 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.331 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c4.331](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.331) Petva is found twice in the Atharvaveda.¹ In the first passage reference is made to its \*vāja\*, which Zimmer² argues can only mean ‘strength,’ ‘swiftness,’ though naturally the sense of ‘male power’ would seem more appropriate in a spell intended to remove lack of virility. In the second passage the Petva is mentioned as overcoming the horse (see Ubhayādant), a miracle which has a parallel in the Rigveda,³ where the Petva overcomes the female⁴ lion. The animal also occurs in the list of victims at the Aśvamedha (‘horse sacrifice’) in the Yajurveda Saṃhitās,⁵ and occasionally elsewhere.⁶ It appears to be the ‘ram’ or the ‘wether,’ the latter⁷ being the sense given to it by the commentator on the Taittirīya Saṃhitā. But there is no conclusive evidence in favour of this meaning, while on the whole the passage of the Atharvaveda, in which \*vāja\* is found, accords best with the sense of ‘ram.’ Hopkins,⁸ however, renders the word as ‘goat,’ though for what reason is not clear. Whether it is connected in any way with Pitva or Pidva is quite uncertain. - [Previous: v2.c4.330](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.330) - [Next: v2.c4.332](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.332) - [Up: v2.c4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.331](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.331) · Pramāṇa