Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s10.1

v2.c4.s10.1

Hamsa in the Rigveda¹ and later² denotes the ‘gander.’ These birds are described as dark in colour on the back (nila-pṛṣṭha);³ they fly in troops,⁴ swim in the water (uda-prut),⁵ make loud noises,⁶ and are wakeful at night.⁷ The Hamsa is credited with the power of separating Soma from water (as later milk from water) in the Yajurveda.⁸ It is also mentioned as one of the victims at the Aśvamedha (‘horse sacrifice’).⁹