Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s8.825

v2.c4.s8.825

Śyāvāśva is the name of a man mentioned several times in the Rigveda.¹ The Anukramaṇī (Index) assigns to him a series of hymns in the fifth, eight, and ninth books.² In one of the hymns³ Śyāvāśva mentions, apparently as his patrons, Taranta (a son of Vidadaśva) and Purumīḷha, as well as Rathavīti. On this hymn is based a legend found in the Bṛhaddevatā,⁴ that he was the son of Arcanānas, who was sacrificing for Rathavīti Dālbhya. The father was anxious to obtain the king's daughter for his son in marriage; but though the father was willing, his wife insisted on her son-in-law being a Ṛṣi. The father and son, repulsed, were returning home, when they met on the way Taranta and Purumīḷha, former patrons of the father. These showed him respect, while Taranta's wife, Śaśīyasī, presented Śyāvāśva with much wealth. The son was then fortunate enough to meet the Maruts in the forest, and praised them, thus becoming a seer. As a result the king himself ultimately offered his daughter to Śyāvāśva. Sieg⁵ seeks to show that this legend is presupposed in the Rigveda; but it is difficult to accept this view, since the references in the Rigveda are very obscure, and Śaśīyasī is probably no more than an epithet.⁶ That there is some Itihāsa at the back of the hymn is clear: what it is can hardly now be determined.