Vedic Mythology c7.s5.3

c7.s5.3

Ominous birds as well as beasts are occasionally connected with certain gods by whom they are supposed to be sent. Thus in the RV. the owl and the pigeon are spoken of as messengers of Yama (§ 77)⁸. In the Sūtras the owl is 'the messenger of evil spirits'; while the beast of prey besmeared with blood and the carrion vulture are called messengers of Yama⁹. In the RV. a bird of omen is once invoked to give auspicious signs (2, 42⁴³).