Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.644

v2.c4.644

Praṣṭi, like Pṛṣṭyā, denotes a ‘side horse,’ which, however, possibly¹ did not necessarily mean a horse running beside the yoke-horses, but may also have meant a third horse yoked in front as a leader. This seems to be indicated by the reference in the Rigveda² to the Praṣṭi—here applied to the Maruts’ team—leading (vahati) the team (rohitaḥ). In an obscure passage of the Atharvaveda³ there is a reference to the Praṣṭis in connexion with a pañca-vāhī, ‘drawn by five,’ but it is impossible to gain any clear idea of what is meant. The Praṣṭi is not rarely referred to elsewhere.⁴ In one passage⁵ the dhuryau and the praṣṭyau are mentioned together; this probably means the two horses yoked to the pole, with two others fastened in some way on each side. The adjectives praṣṭi-mant,⁶ praṣṭi-vāhana,⁷ praṣṭi-vāhin,⁸ are all used of Ratha, ‘chariot,’ meaning ‘drawn by a side horse (or horses)’ in addition to the yoke-horses. Cf. Ratha.