A query regarding the tiger in the RV

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Dear List,

 

I am trying to analyze the following R.gvedic zloka (transliteration

simplified):

 

RV 8.75.9:

maa.nah.samasya.duuDhyah.paridveSaso.amhatih/

uurmir.na.naavam.aa.vadhiit//

 

The translation given in R.P Arya and K.L. Joshi (eds.), Rgveda

Samhita / Text, English Translation and Notes: According to the

Translation of H.H. Wilson and Bhasya of Sayanacarya (reprint,

Delhi, Parimal Publications, 2001) is the following:

 

"Let not the onset of any evil-minded adversary harm us as the

wave (overwhelms) a ship."

 

The zloka is also found in TS 6. 11.8, Verse 2, Sentence 5 = i,

which is thus translated by Keith:

 

"Let not the assault of any ill-minded foe smite us, as a wave a

ship."

 

The following is Yaaska's gloss to the R.gvedic zloka in question:

 

maa.nah.sarvasya.durdhiyah.paapadhiyah.sarvato.dveSaso.amhatir.uurmir

..iva.naavam.aavadhiit/

uurmir.uurNoter.nauh.praNottavyaa.bhavati.namater.vaa/

tat.katham.anudaatta.prakRti.naama.syaad.dRSTavyayam.tu.bhavati/

 

Now, there is a friend of mine -- a Sanskritist -- who interprets

this zloka as referring to an INSANE (= MIND DISEASED) TIGER,

against which the intervention of Agni is called for in the R.gvedic

hymn. How is that possible? As far as my knowledge of Sanskrit goes,

duuDhii means `malevolent', not `insane', and

paridveSas

means `enemy, hater', not `tiger' (an animal that is

*never* mentioned in the RV)!

 

Are there any known instances of the use of the Skt. term paridveSas

to designate the tiger?

 

Thanks.

 

Francesco Brighenti