Vedic Mythology c8.4

c8.4

B. Paṇis. — A group of demons of the upper air, primarily the enemies of Indra (6, 20⁴. 39²), secondarily also of his allies Soma, Agni, Bṛhaspati, and the Aṅgirases, are the Paṇis. In nearly all the passages in which these demons are named, their cows are either expressly mentioned (10, 108; 6, 39²) or alluded to as the treasure or wealth of the Paṇis (2, 24⁶; 9, 111²). There is a similar reference when Agni is said to have opened the doors of the Paṇis (7, 9²). In one passage the gods are described as having found in the cow the ghee hidden by the Paṇis (4, 58⁴). The Paṇis are comparatively powerful, for they are said to be surpassed in might by Indra (7, 56¹⁰) and not to have attained to the greatness of Mitra-Varuṇa (1, 151⁹).