Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s4.71

v2.c4.s4.71

Maṇḍūka is the name of ‘frog’ in the Rigveda¹ and later,² the feminine Maṇḍūkī also occurring.³ The famous frog hymn of the Rigveda⁴ compares with Brahmins the frogs croaking as they awake to activity at the beginning of the rains. It has been explained by Max Müller⁵ as a satire on the Brahmins. Geldner,⁶ agreeing with this view, thinks that it is directed by its Vasiṣṭha composer against rival Brahmins, probably the Viśvāmitras.⁷ The view, however, which interprets the hymn as a rain charm⁸ seems on the whole more likely. The frog, from its connexion with water, was considered to have cooling properties. Thus after the burning of the dead body the frog is invited to come to the spot where the cremation has taken place in order to cool it down.⁹ Similarly the frog is invoked in the Atharvaveda against the fire of fever.¹⁰