Rigveda 3.053.23
Rigveda · Mandala 3, Sukta 53 · Verse 3.53.23
Vedic Classification
Sanskrit Original
न साय॑कस्य चिकिते जनासो लो॒धं न॑यन्ति॒ पशु॒ मन्य॑मानाः । नावा॑जिनं वा॒जिना॑ हासयन्ति॒ न ग॑र्द॒भं पु॒रो अश्वा॑न्नयन्ति
na sāyakasya cikite janāso lodhaṃ nayanti paśu manyamānāḥ nāvājinaṃ vājinā hāsayanti na gardabhaṃ puro aśvānnayanti
Cattle do not lead away the people of the herd at the proper time; they consider themselves many. They do not make the draught-ox laugh, nor drive the ass, nor bring the horses forward.
Men, (the might) of the destroyer is not known toyou; regarding him as a mere animal, they lead him away desirous (silently to complete his devotions); the wise condescend not to turn the foolish into ridicule, they do not lead the ass before the horse.
Men notice not the arrow, O ye people; they bring the red beast deeming it a bullock. A sluggish steed men run not with the courser, nor ever lead an ass before a charger.