24. Adhyāya 24 — Aśvamedha
Mantras 1–10
24.1
अश्वस् तूपरो गोमृगस् ते प्राजापत्याः कृष्णग्रीव ऽ आग्नेयो रराटे पुरस्तात् सारस्वती मेष्य् अधस्ताद्धन्वोर् आश्विनाव् अधोरामौ बाह्वोः सौमपौष्णः श्यामो नाभ्याꣳ सौर्ययामौ श्वेतश् च कृष्णश् च पार्श्वयोस् त्वाष्ट्रौ लोमशसक्थौ सक्थ्योर् वायव्यः श्वेतः पुच्छ ऽ इन्द्राय स्वपस्याय वेहद् वैष्णवो वामनः ॥
aśvas tūparo gomṛgas te prājāpatyāḥ kṛṣṇagrīva ' āgneyo rarāṭe purastāt sārasvatī meṣy adhastāddhanvor āśvināv adhorāmau bāhvoḥ saumapauṣṇaḥ śyāmo nābhyāṁ sauryayāmau śvetaś ca kṛṣṇaś ca pārśvayos tvāṣṭrau lomaśasakthau sakthyor vāyavyaḥ śvetaḥ puccha ' indrāya svapasyāya vehad vaiṣṇavo vāmanaḥ ॥
24.2
रोहितो धूम्ररोहितः कर्कन्धुरोहितस् ते सौम्या बभ्रुर् अरुणबभ्रुः शुकबभ्रुस् ते वारुणाः शितिरन्ध्रो ऽन्यतःशितिरन्ध्रः समन्तशितिरन्ध्रस् ते सावित्राः शितिबाहुर् अन्यतःशितिबाहुः समन्तशितिबाहुस् ते बार्हस्पत्याः पृषती क्षुद्रपृषती स्थूलपृषती ता मैत्रावरुण्यः ॥
rohito dhūmrarohitaḥ karkandhurohitas te saumyā babhrur aruṇababhruḥ śukababhrus te vāruṇāḥ śitirandhro 'nyataḥśitirandhraḥ samantaśitirandhras te sāvitrāḥ śitibāhur anyataḥśitibāhuḥ samantaśitibāhus te bārhaspatyāḥ pṛṣatī kṣudrapṛṣatī sthūlapṛṣatī tā maitrāvaruṇyaḥ ॥
The red, smoky red and red-berry animals belong to Soma; the brown, red brown and parrot brown belong to Varuna; those with white holes in the wool on the one side or all over belong to Savita; those with white fore-legs, white on one side or
24.3
शुद्धवालः सर्वशुद्धवालो मणिवालस् त ऽ आश्विनाः श्यॆतः श्येताक्षो ऽरुणस् ते रुद्राय पशुपतये कर्णा यामा ऽ अवलिप्ता रौद्रा नभोरूपाः पार्जन्याः ॥
śuddhavālaḥ sarvaśuddhavālo maṇivālas ta ' āśvināḥ śyaॆtaḥ śyetākṣo 'ruṇas te rudrāya paśupataye karṇā yāmā ' avaliptā raudrā nabhorūpāḥ pārjanyāḥ ॥
The animals with bright hair, wholly bright hair, and jewel-bright hair belong to the Ashvins. The white, the white eyed, and the red ones are for Rudra, lord of the animals. Those which are specially serviceable belong to Yama. Those of strong limbs belong to the pranas. And those which are sky-grey belong to the clouds.
24.4
पृश्निस् तिरश्चीनपृश्निर् ऊर्ध्वपृश्निस् ते मारुताः फल्गूर् लोहितोर्णी पलक्षी ताः सारस्वत्यः प्लीहाकर्णः शुण्ठाकर्णो ऽद्ध्यालोहकर्णस् ते त्वाष्ट्राः कृष्णग्रीवः शितिकक्षो ऽञ्जिसक्थस् त ऽ ऐन्द्राग्नाः कृष्णाञ्जिर् अल्पाञ्जिर् महाञ्जिस् त ऽ उषस्याः ॥
pṛśnis tiraścīnapṛśnir ūrdhvapṛśnis te mārutāḥ phalgūr lohitorṇī palakṣī tāḥ sārasvatyaḥ plīhākarṇaḥ śuṇṭhākarṇo 'ddhyālohakarṇas te tvāṣṭrāḥ kṛṣṇagrīvaḥ śitikakṣo 'ñjisakthas ta ' aindrāgnāḥ kṛṣṇāñjir alpāñjir mahāñjis ta ' uṣasyāḥ ॥
Soft and dappled ones, those with transverse speckles, or upward speckles are of the quality and character of the Maruts; fruit-lovers, those with red hair, and those of quick quivering eyes belong to Sarasvati. The spleen-eared, white-eared, and the golden eared belong to Tvashta. Those of black neck, white flanks and heavy thighs are of the quality and character of Indra and Agni, wind and electric energy. And those of average or dark brilliance, little brilliance or great brilliance belong to the dawns.
24.5
शिल्पा वैश्वदेव्यो रोहिण्यस् त्र्यवयो वाचे ऽविज्ञाता ऽ अदित्यै सरूपा धात्रे वत्सतर्यो देवानां पत्नीभ्यः ॥
śilpā vaiśvadevyo rohiṇyas tryavayo vāce 'vijñātā ' adityai sarūpā dhātre vatsataryo devānāṃ patnībhyaḥ ॥
The animals useful in arts belong to all the noble people, all the divinities. Three kinds of mountain sheep used in climbing high are for knowledge and speech. The unknown breeds are for Aditi, the earth. Those of similar form are for the Protector, and the young calves are for the wives of the learned to look after.
24.6
कृष्णग्रीवा ऽ आग्नेयाः शितिभ्रवो वसूनाꣳ रोहिता रुद्राणाꣳ श्वेता ऽ अवरोकिण ऽ आदित्यानां नभोरूपाः पार्जन्याः ॥
kṛṣṇagrīvā ' āgneyāḥ śitibhravo vasūnāṁ rohitā rudrāṇāṁ śvetā ' avarokiṇa ' ādityānāṃ nabhorūpāḥ pārjanyāḥ ॥
Black-necked animals have the quality and character of fire. Those with white brows are of the
24.7
उन्नत ऽ ऋषभो वामनस् त ऽ ऐन्द्रवैष्णवा ऽ उन्नतः शितिबाहुः शितिपृष्ठस् त ऽ ऐन्द्राबार्हस्पत्याः शुकरूपा वाजिनाः कल्माषा ऽ आग्निमारुताः श्यामाः पौष्णाः ॥
unnata ' ṛṣabho vāmanas ta ' aindravaiṣṇavā ' unnataḥ śitibāhuḥ śitipṛṣṭhas ta ' aindrābārhaspatyāḥ śukarūpā vājināḥ kalmāṣā ' āgnimārutāḥ śyāmāḥ pauṣṇāḥ ॥
The tall, strong animals with supple and tortuous limbs are of the quality Indra and Vishnu, electricity and wind. The tall ones of razor-sharp stroke and adamantine back have the quality of Indra and Brihaspati, wind and the sun. Those of the form and colour of the parrot, fast as horse, white and black have the quality of Agni and Maruts, fire and the winds. The black ones have the quality of Pushan, energising as the cloud.
24.8
एता ऽ ऐन्द्राग्ना द्विरूपा ऽ अग्नीषोमीया वामना ऽ अनड्वाह ऽ आग्नावैष्णवा वशा मैत्रावरुण्योऽन्यत एन्यो ऽ मैत्र्यः ॥
etā ' aindrāgnā dvirūpā ' agnīṣomīyā vāmanā ' anaḍvāha ' āgnāvaiṣṇavā vaśā maitrāvaruṇyo'nyata enyo ' maitryaḥ ॥
These animals of two colours or qualities are of the nature of Indra and Agni, wind and electric energy. Those of supple and tortuous limbs and the sturdy bullocks are of the nature of Agni and Soma, and of Agni and Vishnu. The barren cow is of the nature of Mitra and Varuna, pranic energy. The rest anywhere are of friendly nature, wherever they are and wherever they
24.9
कृष्णग्रीवा ऽ आग्नेया बभ्रवः सौम्याः श्वेता वायव्या ऽ अविज्ञाता ऽ अदित्यै सरूपा धात्रे वत्सतर्यो देवानां पत्नीभ्यः ॥
kṛṣṇagrīvā ' āgneyā babhravaḥ saumyāḥ śvetā vāyavyā ' avijñātā ' adityai sarūpā dhātre vatsataryo devānāṃ patnībhyaḥ ॥
The black-necked animals are fiery, the brown ones are cool and gentle as soma, the white ones are airy. The unknown are for the earth, those of like form for the Protector, the young calves for the wives of the divines and for the sun-rays to foster.
24.10
कृष्णा भौमा धूम्रा ऽ आन्तरिक्षा बृहन्तो दिव्याः शबला वैद्युताः सिध्मास् तारकाः ॥
kṛṣṇā bhaumā dhūmrā ' āntarikṣā bṛhanto divyāḥ śabalā vaidyutāḥ sidhmās tārakāḥ ॥
The black ones, the farming animals, are for the earth. The brown ones are for the sky. The big, wonderful, whitish are live wires like electricity. The gentle ones are for the alleviation of suffering.
Mantras 11–20
24.11
धूम्रान् वसन्ताया लभते श्वेतान् ग्रीष्माय कृष्णान् वर्षाभ्यो ऽरुणाञ्छरदे पृषतो हेमन्ताय पिशङ्गाञ्छिशिराय ॥
dhūmrān vasantāyā labhate śvetān grīṣmāya kṛṣṇān varṣābhyo 'ruṇāñcharade pṛṣato hemantāya piśaṅgāñchiśirāya ॥
24.12
त्र्यवयो गायत्र्यै पञ्चावयस् त्रिष्टुभे दित्यवाहो जगत्यै त्रिवत्सा ऽ अनुष्टुभे तुर्यवाह ऽ उष्णिहे ॥
tryavayo gāyatryai pañcāvayas triṣṭubhe dityavāho jagatyai trivatsā ' anuṣṭubhe turyavāha ' uṣṇihe ॥
Animals of three six month periods of life are for the gayatri metre to sing; those of five periods are for trishtup; the burden bearing ones are for jagati; those with three calves are for anushtup; and those of the fourth stage of life are for the ushnih metre to sing.
24.13
पष्ठवाहो विराज ऽ उक्षाणो बृहत्या ऽ ऋषभाः ककुभे ऽनड्वाहः पङ्क्त्यै धेनवो ऽतिच्छन्दसे ॥
paṣṭhavāho virāja ' ukṣāṇo bṛhatyā ' ṛṣabhāḥ kakubhe 'naḍvāhaḥ paṅktyai dhenavo 'ticchandase ॥
Those which bear the burdens on their back are for the virat metre to sing; the virile bulls are for brihati; the sturdy and most excellent bulls are for kakup; the cart-bullocks are for the pankti; and the cows are for the ati-chhanda metre to sing of.
24.14
कृष्णग्रीवा ऽ आग्नेया बभ्रवः सौम्या ऽ उपध्वस्ताः सावित्रा वत्सतर्यः सारस्वत्यः श्यामाः पौष्णाः पृश्नयो मारुता बहुरूपा वैश्वदेवा वशा द्यावापृथिवीयाः ॥
kṛṣṇagrīvā ' āgneyā babhravaḥ saumyā ' upadhvastāḥ sāvitrā vatsataryaḥ sārasvatyaḥ śyāmāḥ pauṣṇāḥ pṛśnayo mārutā bahurūpā vaiśvadevā vaśā dyāvāpṛthivīyāḥ ॥
Black-necked animals are fiery. The brown and generous ones are gentle. The weak ones close at hand are of Savita, children of the sun. The cows with young calves are of Sarasvati. The dark ones are darlings of the cloud. The dappled cows are favourites of the Maruts. The multi-coloured ones are for Vishvedevas, the noblest people. And the brilliant domestic animals are gifts of earth and heaven.
24.15
उक्ताः संचरा ऽ एता ऽ ऐन्द्राग्नाः कृष्णाः वारुणाः पृश्नयो मारुताः कायास् तूपराः ॥
uktāḥ saṃcarā ' etā ' aindrāgnāḥ kṛṣṇāḥ vāruṇāḥ pṛśnayo mārutāḥ kāyās tūparāḥ ॥
These animals described here and moving around are of Indra and Agni, airy and fiery. The black ones are of Varuna, most excellent lord of choice. The richly speckled ones are of the Maruts and for the stormy people. And the violent ones are for and of Prajapati.
24.16
अग्नये ऽनीकवते प्रथमजान् आ लभते मरुद्भ्यः सांतपनेभ्यः सवात्यान् मरुद्भ्यो गृहमेधिभ्यो बष्किहान् मरुद्भ्यः क्रीडिभ्यः सꣳसृष्टान् मरुद्भ्यः स्वतवद्भ्योऽनुसृष्टान् ॥
agnaye 'nīkavate prathamajān ā labhate marudbhyaḥ sāṃtapanebhyaḥ savātyān marudbhyo gṛhamedhibhyo baṣkihān marudbhyaḥ krīḍibhyaḥ saṁsṛṣṭān marudbhyaḥ svatavadbhyo'nusṛṣṭān ॥
24.17
उक्ताः संचरा ऽ एता ऽ ऐन्द्राग्नाः प्राशृङ्गा माहेन्द्रा बहुरूपा वैश्वकर्मणाः ॥
uktāḥ saṃcarā ' etā ' aindrāgnāḥ prāśṛṅgā māhendrā bahurūpā vaiśvakarmaṇāḥ ॥
Described are these animals and the ways of raising and training them. Of divine care and purpose, they are of varied hue and beautiful horns, favourites of divinities and for divine purpose. Of Indra and Agni they are, of Mahendra and Vishvakarma.
24.18
धूम्रा बभ्रुनीकाशाः पितॄणाꣳ सोमवतां बभ्रवो बभ्रुनीकाशाः पितॄणां बर्हिषदां कृष्णा बभ्रुनीकाशाः पितॄणाम् अग्निष्वात्तानां कृष्णाः पृषन्तस् त्रैयम्बकाः ॥
dhūmrā babhrunīkāśāḥ pitṝṇāṁ somavatāṃ babhravo babhrunīkāśāḥ pitṝṇāṃ barhiṣadāṃ kṛṣṇā babhrunīkāśāḥ pitṝṇām agniṣvāttānāṃ kṛṣṇāḥ pṛṣantas traiyambakāḥ ॥
Smoky grey and dark brown animals are for kind and loving soma-natured parents and seniors. Brown and smoky dark are for the senior councillors. Black and brown are for those seniors who are experts of the science of fire. And black and spotted are for those who have three-fold responsibilities. (Honour the seniors with petgifts and protect the animals for them.)
24.19
उक्ताः संचरा ऽ एता शुनासीरीयाः श्वेता वायव्याः श्वेताः सौर्याः ॥
uktāḥ saṃcarā ' etā śunāsīrīyāḥ śvetā vāyavyāḥ śvetāḥ sauryāḥ ॥
Described are these animals, white, beautiful, moving around, dedicated to the plough and the share, sustaining as the air, bright as the sunlight. They have the elements and virtues of the air and the sun.
24.20
वसन्ताय कपिञ्जलान् आ लभते ग्रीष्माय कलविङ्कान् वर्षाभ्यस् तित्तिरीञ्छरदे वर्तिका हेमन्ताय ककराञ्छिशिराय विककरान् ॥
vasantāya kapiñjalān ā labhate grīṣmāya kalaviṅkān varṣābhyas tittirīñcharade vartikā hemantāya kakarāñchiśirāya vikakarān ॥
The bird specialist takes up the sparrow for the season of spring, the cuckoo for summer, the partridge for the rains, the quail for autumn, the kakara for freezing cold, and vikakara for the frosty season.
Mantras 21–30
24.21
समुद्राय शिशुमारान् आलभते पर्जन्याय मण्डूकान् अद्भ्यो मत्स्यान् मित्राय कुलीपयान् वरुणाय नाक्रान् ॥
samudrāya śiśumārān ālabhate parjanyāya maṇḍūkān adbhyo matsyān mitrāya kulīpayān varuṇāya nākrān ॥
The water-life specialist takes up the alligator in relation to the sea, frogs for the clouds, fish for the waters of lakes and rivers, kulipaya in relation to the sun and waters, and crocodile in relation to the oceans.
24.22
सोमाय हꣳसान् आ लभते वायवे बलाका ऽ इन्द्राग्निभ्यां क्रुञ्चान् मित्राय मद्गून् वरुणाय चक्रवाकान् ॥
somāya haṁsān ā labhate vāyave balākā ' indrāgnibhyāṃ kruñcān mitrāya madgūn varuṇāya cakravākān ॥
The bird-expert takes up the hansa, geese, in relation to Soma, beauty and joy, the she-crane in relation to Vayu, breeze and pleasure, the krauncha in relation to Indragni, the warmth of fire and vibrations of energy, the madgu in relation to Mitra, sun and water, and the chakravaka in relation to Varuna, the love and vastness of space.
24.23
अग्नये कुटरून् आ लभते वनस्पतिभ्य ऽ उलूकान् अग्नीषोमाभ्यां चाषान् अश्विभ्यां मयूरान् मित्रावरुणाभ्यां कपोतान् ॥
agnaye kuṭarūn ā labhate vanaspatibhya ' ulūkān agnīṣomābhyāṃ cāṣān aśvibhyāṃ mayūrān mitrāvaruṇābhyāṃ kapotān ॥
The specialist in birds and bird behaviour takes up the cocks for Agni, the owls for the Vanaspati, trees, the blue jays for Agni and Soma, the peacocks for the Ashvinis, and the pigeons for Mitra and Varuna.
24.24
सोमाय लबान् आ लभते त्वष्ट्रे कौलीकान् गोषादीर् देवानां पत्नीभ्यः कुलीका देवजामिभ्यो ऽग्नये गृहपतये पारुष्णान् ॥
somāya labān ā labhate tvaṣṭre kaulīkān goṣādīr devānāṃ patnībhyaḥ kulīkā devajāmibhyo 'gnaye gṛhapataye pāruṣṇān ॥
He takes up the laba birds for Soma, kaulikas for Tvashta, goshadis which hurt the cows for the wives of the nobles, kulikas for the sisters of the nobles, and parushnas for Agni of the homestead.
24.25
अह्ने पारावतान् आ लभते रात्र्यै सीचापूर् अहोरात्रयोः संधिभ्यो जतूर् मासेभ्यो दात्यौहान्त् संवत्सराय महतः सुपर्णान् ॥
ahne pārāvatān ā labhate rātryai sīcāpūr ahorātrayoḥ saṃdhibhyo jatūr māsebhyo dātyauhānt saṃvatsarāya mahataḥ suparṇān ॥
He takes up pigeons for the day, sichapus for the night, jatus for the morning and evening twilight, the crow for the months, and the big suparnas for the year.
24.26
भूम्या ऽ आखून् आ लभते ऽन्तरिक्षाय पाङ्क्तान् दिवे कशान् दिग्भ्यो नकुलान् बभ्रुकान् अवान्तरदिशाभ्यः ॥
bhūmyā ' ākhūn ā labhate 'ntarikṣāya pāṅktān dive kaśān digbhyo nakulān babhrukān avāntaradiśābhyaḥ ॥
24.27
वसुभ्य ऽ ऋश्यान् आ लभते रुद्रेभ्यः रुरून् आदित्येभ्यो न्यङ्कून् विश्वेभ्यो देवेभ्यः पृषतान्त् साध्येभ्यः कुलुङ्गान् ॥
vasubhya ' ṛśyān ā labhate rudrebhyaḥ rurūn ādityebhyo nyaṅkūn viśvebhyo devebhyaḥ pṛṣatānt sādhyebhyaḥ kuluṅgān ॥
For the Vasu order of scholars, take up the study of the white footed rishya antelopes; for the Rudra scholars, take up the ruru antelopes; for the Aditya scholars, take up the nyanku antelopes; for the eminent and generous scholars, take up the prishata antelopes; and for the advanced researchers on yoga, the sadhyas, take up the kulunga antelopes.
24.28
ईशानाय परस्वत ऽ आ लभते मित्राय गौरान् वरुणाय महिषान् बृहस्पतये गवयाꣳस् त्वष्ट्र ऽ उष्ट्रान् ॥
īśānāya parasvata ' ā labhate mitrāya gaurān varuṇāya mahiṣān bṛhaspataye gavayāṁs tvaṣṭra ' uṣṭrān ॥
For the man of ruling power take up the parasvan antelopes of the forest, gauras for Mitra, the buffaloes for Varuna, wild cows for Brihaspati, and camels for Tvashta.
24.29
प्रजापतये पुरुषान् हस्तिन ऽ आ लभते वाचे प्लुषीꣳश् चक्षुषे मशकाञ्छ्रोत्राय भृङ्गाः ॥
prajāpataye puruṣān hastina ' ā labhate vāce pluṣīṁś cakṣuṣe maśakāñchrotrāya bhṛṅgāḥ ॥
Take up male elephants for Prajapati, flying white ants for speech, mosquitoes for the eye and moths for the ear.
24.30
प्रजापतये च वायवे च गोमृगो वरुणायारण्यो मेषो यमाय कृष्णो मनुष्यराजाय मर्कटः शार्दूलाय रोहिद् ऋषभाय गवयी क्षिप्रश्येनाय वर्तिका नीलङ्गोः कृमिः समुद्राय शिशुमारो हिमवते हस्ती ॥
prajāpataye ca vāyave ca gomṛgo varuṇāyāraṇyo meṣo yamāya kṛṣṇo manuṣyarājāya markaṭaḥ śārdūlāya rohid ṛṣabhāya gavayī kṣipraśyenāya vartikā nīlaṅgoḥ kṛmiḥ samudrāya śiśumāro himavate hastī ॥
For Prajapati and Vayu, the wild cow; for Varuna, the wild ram; for Yama, black deer; for the ruler of people, the monkey; for the lion, red deer; for the bull, the wild cow; for the swift eagle, the partridge; for the blue-bodied, the insects; for the sea, crocodile; and for the snowy mountainous region, the elephant.
Mantras 31–40
24.31
मयुः प्राजापत्य ऽ उलो हलिक्ष्णो वृषदꣳशस् ते धात्रे दिशां कङ्को धुङ्क्षाग्नेयी कलविङ्को लोहिताहिः पुष्करसादस् ते त्वाष्ट्रा वाचे क्रुञ्चः ॥
mayuḥ prājāpatya ' ulo halikṣṇo vṛṣadaṁśas te dhātre diśāṃ kaṅko dhuṅkṣāgneyī kalaviṅko lohitāhiḥ puṣkarasādas te tvāṣṭrā vāce kruñcaḥ ॥
24.32
सोमाय कुलुङ्ग ऽ आरण्यो ऽजो नकुलः शका ते पौष्णाः क्रोष्टा मायोर् इन्द्रस्य गौरमृगः पिद्वो न्यङ्कुः कक्कटस् ते ऽनुमत्यै प्रतिश्रुत्कायै चक्रवाकः ॥
somāya kuluṅga ' āraṇyo 'jo nakulaḥ śakā te pauṣṇāḥ kroṣṭā māyor indrasya gauramṛgaḥ pidvo nyaṅkuḥ kakkaṭas te 'numatyai pratiśrutkāyai cakravākaḥ ॥
The antelope is for Soma; the forest-goat, mungoose and the bee are for Pusha; the jackal is for the wild human; the white deer is for Indra; the pidva, nyanku and kakkata are for Anumati; and the chakravaka is for Echo.
24.33
सौरी बलाका शार्गः सृजयः शयाण्डकस् ते मैत्राः सरस्वत्यै शारिः पुरुषवाक् श्वाविद् भौमी शार्दूलो वृकः पृदाकुस् ते मन्यवे सरस्वते शुकः पुरुषवाक् ॥
saurī balākā śārgaḥ sṛjayaḥ śayāṇḍakas te maitrāḥ sarasvatyai śāriḥ puruṣavāk śvāvid bhaumī śārdūlo vṛkaḥ pṛdākus te manyave sarasvate śukaḥ puruṣavāk ॥
The female crane is for the sun; the sharga, the srijaya and the shayandaka, these birds are for Mitra; the human voiced parrot is for Sarasvati; the porcupine is for the earth; the lion, the wolf, and the snake, these are for Manyu (anger); and the human voiced male parrot is for the sea.
24.34
सुपर्णः पार्जन्य ऽ आतिर्वाहसो दर्विदा ते वायवे बृहस्पतये वाचस् पतये पैङ्गराजो ऽलज ऽ आन्तरिक्षः प्लवो मद्गुर् मत्स्यस् ते नदीपतये द्यावापृथिवीयः कूर्मः ॥
suparṇaḥ pārjanya ' ātirvāhaso darvidā te vāyave bṛhaspataye vācas pataye paiṅgarājo 'laja ' āntarikṣaḥ plavo madgur matsyas te nadīpataye dyāvāpṛthivīyaḥ kūrmaḥ ॥
The eagle is for the cloud; the aati (an aquatic bird), the serpent and the wood-pecker, these are for Vayu, the air; the paingaraja is for Vachasapati Brihaspati; alajais for the sky; the pelican, the cormorant and the fish, these are for the lord of streams; and the tortoise is for the earth and light.
24.35
पुरुषमृगश् चन्द्रमसो गोधा कालका दार्वाघाटस् ते वनस्पतीनां कृकवाकुः सावित्रो हꣳसो वातस्य नाक्रो मकरः कुलीपयस् ते ऽकूपारस्य ह्रियै शल्पकः ॥
puruṣamṛgaś candramaso godhā kālakā dārvāghāṭas te vanaspatīnāṃ kṛkavākuḥ sāvitro haṁso vātasya nākro makaraḥ kulīpayas te 'kūpārasya hriyai śalpakaḥ ॥
The buck belongs to the moon; the alligator, the kalaka, the wood pecker, these belong to the trees; the
24.36
एण्य् अह्नो मण्डूको मूषिका तित्तिरिस् ते सर्पाणां लोपाश ऽ आश्विनः कृष्णो रात्र्या ऽ ऋक्षो जतूः सुषिलीका त ऽ इतरजनानां जहका वैष्णवी ॥
eṇy ahno maṇḍūko mūṣikā tittiris te sarpāṇāṃ lopāśa ' āśvinaḥ kṛṣṇo rātryā ' ṛkṣo jatūḥ suṣilīkā ta ' itarajanānāṃ jahakā vaiṣṇavī ॥
The doe is of the day; the frog, mouse and partridge, these are of the serpents; the lopasha is Ashvins’; black animal is for the night; the bear, the bat and the sushilika are for other people; and the hedgehog is for Vishnu.
24.37
अन्यवापो ऽर्धमासानाम् ऋश्यो मयूरः सुपर्णस् ते गन्धर्वाणाम् अपाम् उद्रो मासां कश्यपो रोहित् कुण्डृणाची गोलत्तिका ते ऽप्सरसां मृत्यवे ऽसितः ॥
anyavāpo 'rdhamāsānām ṛśyo mayūraḥ suparṇas te gandharvāṇām apām udro māsāṃ kaśyapo rohit kuṇḍṛṇācī golattikā te 'psarasāṃ mṛtyave 'sitaḥ ॥
The cockoo belongs to the fortnights; the rishya deer, the peacock and the swan belong to the gandharvas (musicians); the crab belongs to the waters; the tortoise belongs to the months; the red deer, the house lizzard and the golattika belong to the water nymphs and the sunbeams; and the black deer is for death.
24.38
वर्षाहूर् ऋतूनाम् आखुः कशो मान्थालस् ते पितॄणां बलायाजगरो वसूनां कपिञ्जलः कपोत ऽ उलूकः शशस् ते निर्ऋत्यै वरुणायारण्यो मेषः ॥
varṣāhūr ṛtūnām ākhuḥ kaśo mānthālas te pitṝṇāṃ balāyājagaro vasūnāṃ kapiñjalaḥ kapota ' ulūkaḥ śaśas te nirṛtyai varuṇāyāraṇyo meṣaḥ ॥
The frog is for the seasons; the mouse, the rodents and the flying fox, these are of the pitaras; the serpent is for strength; the partridge is for the Vasus; the pigeon, the owl and the hare are for adversity; the wild ram is for Varuna.
24.39
श्वित्र ऽ आदित्यानाम् उष्ट्रो घृणीवान् वार्ध्रीणसस् ते मत्या ऽ अरण्याय सृमरो रुरू रौद्रः क्वयिः कुटरुर् दात्यौहस् ते वाजिनां कामाय पिकः ॥
śvitra ' ādityānām uṣṭro ghṛṇīvān vārdhrīṇasas te matyā ' araṇyāya sṛmaro rurū raudraḥ kvayiḥ kuṭarur dātyauhas te vājināṃ kāmāya pikaḥ ॥
The white domestic animal is of the Adityas; the camel, the bright and tender animal and a big goat with streaks on nose are for intelligence; the wild cow is for the forest; the red deer is of Rudra; the kvayi, the cock and the crow, these are for the Vajins (speed); and the cuckoo is for love and desire.
24.40
खड्गो वैश्वदेवः श्वा कृष्णः कर्णो गर्दभस् तरक्षुस् ते रक्षसाम् इन्द्राय सूकरः सिꣳहो मारुताः कृकलासः पिप्पका शकुनिस् ते शरव्यायै विश्वेषां देवानां पृषतः ॥
khaḍgo vaiśvadevaḥ śvā kṛṣṇaḥ karṇo gardabhas tarakṣus te rakṣasām indrāya sūkaraḥ siṁho mārutāḥ kṛkalāsaḥ pippakā śakunis te śaravyāyai viśveṣāṃ devānāṃ pṛṣataḥ ॥