Chapter 4.19 - The Wolf in the Epics

In the Mahabharata there were three brothers. Once, the second brother fell into a well and the other brothers did not come to help him. So he cursed the first the third ones to become wolves.^[1]

There are three varieties of wolves.^[2] They are very cruel and fond of flesh. Their youth begins in their 2nd year. They are very passionate in summer and winter.

The first variety of wolves is named Vrika. They are tall, black and very impatient. They are fond of hunting. They can easily catch their pretty and they are dreadful by nature. Their jaws are long and they are very swift. They have long nails blood-red tongues and somewhat red eyes. Their cries are harsh. They have sharp ears and short tails. They find the hiding places of their prey by their scent.

The 2^nd variety is called Koka.They are smaller in size. They are red or blackish in colour. They are very ferocious and have long tails. They have short legs and dreadful jaws. Their heads and rear portions are stout. They do not like proximity to people. They kill different kinds of animals and eat their flesh. They cry often. They have rough air and their bodies exude a bad smell. Their eyes glitter and when they are angry.

The 3rd variety is known as Ihamriga. They are of different colours. Some are spotted but some are striped. They are tall. They run swiftly. They long faces and ears, protruding tongues and hanging testicles. They are lean with lean stomachs. Their bodies exude a bad smell. They are fond of hunting. They are easily trainable in their early age.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Mahabharata .3.106

[2]:

Mrigapakshishastra [mriga-pakshi-shastra] .I.21.910b, 922,928b,934,941b