Tarakshu
Tarakshu, “the hyena”
Grammar: masculine noun; the name of an animal.
Meaning: the hyena.
In the scriptures: In the Brahma Purāṇa, Vyāsa teaches the munis the rules of śrāddha, the rite for the pitṛs. In the Vārāha śrāddha-kalpa, the rule of śrāddha that Vārāha saw, the things it forbids must not be given to brāhmaṇas at śrāddha, nor eaten. Not fit are the meat of the rohita, the boar, the tortoise and the monitor lizard. Forbidden too are the creatures whose offering brings the Raurava naraka: the cakravāka, the madgu (water-crow), the boneless fish, the kurara (osprey), the kalaviṅka (house-sparrow), the peacock, the bhāradvāja bird, the śārjaka bird, the mongoose, the owl, the tittiri bird, the jackal, the tiger, the bear and the tarakshu. One who offers these goes to Raurava, and casts even the pitṛs who are in svarga into naraka (Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 220).
Related terms: Śrāddha · Pitṛ · Raurava · Naraka
Sources
- Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 220