Note 2. Kapardin is an epithet not only of Rudra, but also of Pûshan (VI, 55, 2; IX, 67, II), and of a Vedic clan, the Tritsus (VII, 83, 8) or Vasishthas; see Roth, Zur Literatur and Geschichte des Weda, pp. 94 seq.; Oldenberg, Z. D. M. G. XLII, p. 207. Kaparda is the name of a shell, and the hair twisted together in the form of a shell seems to have suggested the name of kapardin.

Note 3. Kshayád-vîra means 'ruling over heroes,' just as mandád-vîra (VIII, 69, 1) means 'delighting heroes.' This meaning is applicable to all passages where kshayád-vîra occurs, and there is no reason why we should translate it by 'destroyer of heroes,' which can hardly be considered as an epitheton ornans. No doubt, a god who rules and protects can also be conceived as punishing and destroying, and this is particularly the case with Rudra. Hence in certain passages Rudra may well be invoked as nrihán (IV 3, 6), just as we read of the Maruts (VII, 56, 17): 'May that bolt of yours which kills cattle and men be far from us! Incline to us, O Vasu, with your favours!' See Muir, ST. IV, p. 301, note.

Verse 2.

TS. reads âyagé and pránîtau. See Ludwig, Notes, p. 265.

Verse 6.

Note 1. On the meaning of vardhana and vridh in Zend, see Darmesteter, Ormazd, pp. 41, 6; 92, 1.

Verse 7.

Note 1. TS. reads priyâ´ mâ´ nas tanúvah rudra rîrishah. Priya, dear, used like φίλος, in the sense of our own. See Bergaigne, III, 152.

Verse 8.

See Colebrooke, Misc. Ess. I, p. 141 (ed. 1837); and Svetâsvat. Up. in S. B. E. XV, p. 254, note. ´yushi for âyaú is supported by VS. and TS. I propose to read â´yau for âyaú. Bhâmitáh is supported by TS. and Svet. Up., while VS. reads bhâmínah, which Mahidhara refers to vîrâ´n. The last line is the same in RV. and VS., but the TS. reads havíshmanto námasâ vidhema te, while the Svet. Up. reads havishmantah sadasi tvâ havâmahe.

Verse 9.

Note 1. As to the simile, see RV. X, 127, 8, and Muir ST. IV, p. 304, note.

Verse 10.

Note 1. TS. reads drat te, goghná (°é), purushaghné, kshayádvîrâya, rákshâ for mrilâ´, deva brûhi.

Note 2. I take dvibárhâh, which stands for dvibárhah, as an adjective to sárma, or possibly as an adverb, see Lanman, p. 560. It can hardly refer to Rudra, as Grassmann supposes. See J. Schmidt, Pluralbildungen der Neutra, pp. 132 seq.

Next: II, 33. To Rudra, the Father of the Maruts (the Storm-gods)

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