The Rigveda, a sacred Indo-Aryan collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns that is still used in India.

The Panis are a class of demons in the Rigveda, their name meaning "bargainer" or "miser," especially someone who is cheap on the sacrificial oblations. The Panis appear in the Rigveda as watchers over stolen cows, are located behind the stream Rasā, and are sought out by Sarama, the so-called "bitch of the gods." The Panis boast to Sarama that they are well-armed and will not yield their cows without a battle, and that the cows are furthermore well hidden in a secluded rocky chamber.

The word pani is also applied in the Rigveda to human beings, even to respected members of a community, who are unwilling to share their wealth with others.