Mūshika
Mūshika, “the rat”
Grammar: masculine noun, from the root mush (to steal): “the thief”, the rat or mouse.
Meaning: (1) the rat; (2) a man who, like the rat, hoards what he has: he has wealth but gives nothing and enjoys it all himself.
In the scriptures: The ṛshis, teaching the rākshasa king Sukeśī, name those from whom food must not be accepted: sūtikas, shaṇḍhas, mārjāras, mūshikas, śunakas, kukkuṭas, patitas, apaviddhas, nagnas, cāṇḍālas and other lowly ones. When Sukeśī asks their marks, they define each by his conduct. The mūshikas, “the rats”, are those who have wealth but do no dāna (giving) and no homa, and enjoy it all themselves. Their food must not be eaten, and the pāpa of eating it goes only by kṛcchra (a penance of fasting) and the like (Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 15).
Related terms: Dāna · Homa · Kṛcchra · Apaviddha · Nagna · Mārjāra
Sources
- Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 15