[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.s10.1 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s10.1 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s10.1 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c4.s10.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.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 - [Previous: v2.c4.s9.1319](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s9.1319) - [Next: v2.c4.s10.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s10.2) - [Up: v2.c4.s10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s10) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s10.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s10.1) · Pramāṇa