Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s9.1227

v2.c4.s9.1227

1. Svadhiti in the Rigveda¹ denotes the ‘axe’ or ‘knife’ used for dissecting the sacrificial horse. In all the other passages in that Saṃhitā² the sense of ‘axe’ for cutting wood is adequate; reference is made in one place³ to sharpening the axe on the whetstone (kṣṇotra). In the Atharvaveda⁴ the term seems once to denote the copper (lohita)⁵ knife used to mark the ears of cattle; the carpenter’s knife or axe is also twice referred to there.⁶ Later the word means ‘axe’ generally.⁷ As a weapon it does not appear at all.⁸