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Reference has been made to the RgVeda mantra V29.7 (p.29,
ref.18) to state that Agni roasted 300 buffaloes.
T.V. : sakha sakhye apacat tuyam agnir asya kratva mahisha tri
satani
tri sakam indro manushah saransi sutam pibad vritrahatyaya
somam
Wilson has translated this as follows:
"To aid (the understanding of) his friend, Agni, the friend (of Indra)
has quickly consumed three hundred buffaloes; and Indra, for destruction
of Vrtra, has at once quaffed vessels of Soma offered by Manu".
Sw.Dayanand's rendering is as follows:
"The Agni (in the form of the fire/energy and sun) soon illuminates
three worlds in the middle of the universe and drinks the water of the tanks
(by drying it up), and for the slaying the clouds ripens Soma and other things
that lead to prosperity in the long run (by increasing physical and mental
strength). In the same manner, a friend by the power of his intellect or actions,
protects three hundred big animals (cattle wealth) for the welfare of his
friend". Purport of this hymn is that the sun manifests the gross objects that
are above, below and in the middle. In the same manner, a king should
manifest all good, bad and indifferent dealings and deal with all in a judicious
manner.
Sw.Satya Praksh and Satyakam have rendered it as follows:
"As a friend to another friend, the cosmic fire ripens the sap of
three hundred fields and forests of people, and the Sun works for the
destruction of widespread darkness over the three regions, celestial,
interspatial and terrestrial".
The comparison of the meaning will reveal that Wilson's translation
stresses the roasting of buffaloes by Agni-the sun-god whereas it meant
the evaporating effect of the sun which causes rains resulting in the
prosperity. Sw.Dayanand has interpreted the phrase 'mahisa tri satani' to
mean that it protects three hundred buffaloes or big animals.
The Rgveda hymn VI.16.47 has been cited by Jha to emphasize
that 'oblations of food to the accompaniment of heart-felt hymns become
like bulls , oxen and cows in sacrifice'(p.41,ref.135) on the strength of
Mr.Kane.
TV : ate agna rica havir hrida tashtam bharamasi
te te bhavantukshana rishabhaso vasa uta
It will be pertinent to quote its translated version by Wilson as follows:
"We offer to you, Agni, the oblation sanctified by the heart,
and
(identified) with the sacred verse may these vigorous bulls or the cows be
(as
such an oblation) to you".
(9
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