Part 32 - Symbolic relevance of “Dadhikrā” in Sun-worship

Dadhikrā is one of the divine steeds deified in the Vedic texts.^[1] The term is used as a synonym of horse in the Nighaṇṭu.^[2] He is one of the fetishes of Sūrya. The fetish Dadhikrā is the representative of the swift moving luminary Sūrya that reflects the warlike aspect, i.e. the swiftness of the Sun.^[3]

Sāyaṇācārya interprets the term [Dadhikrā] as:

dadhadanyaṃ dhārayan krāmatīti dadhikrāḥ/ tametannāmakaṃ devam/^[4]

The swiftness of the Sun becomes clear with his application as the first steed at the head of the chariot,^[5] identification with the eagle and the swan.^[6] His speed is compared to the wind.^[7]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Ṛgvedasaṃhitā, 4.38-40; 7.44

[2]:

Nighaṇṭu, 1.14

[3]:

cf., uta vājinaṃ puruniṣpidhvānaṃ dadhikrāsu dadathurviśvakṛṣṭim/ Ṛgvedasaṃhitā, 4.38.2 āśuṃ dadhikrāṃ tamu na ṣṭavāma divaspṛthivyā uta carkirām/ Ibid.,4. 39.1

[4]:

Sāyaṇācārya, Ibid., 4.38.2

[5]:

cf., dadhikrāvā prathamo vājyarvāgre rathānāṃ bhavati prajānan/ Ṛgvedasaṃhitā, 7.44.4

[6]:

cf., uta smainaṃ vastramathiṃ na tāyumanu krośanti kṣitayo bhareṣu/nīcāyamānaṃ jasuriṃ na śyenaṃ śravaścācchā paśumacca yūtham// Ibid., 4.38.5

[7]:

cf., paḍbhirgṛdhyantaṃ medhayuṃ na śūraṃ rathaturaṃ vātamiva dhrajantam/ Ibid., 4.38.3