Battle of Rgveda texts Battle of Ten Kings dasarajna in Rgveda PDF

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Battle of R̥gveda texts. Battle of Ten Kings (dāśarājñá) in R̥gveda Battle of interpretation of R̥gveda texts The battle of ten kings in the world's most ancient text, R̥gveda, is matched by the Battle of R̥gveda texts. An evidence of the battle of texts is presented in this long note, long beca...

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Battle of Rgveda texts Battle of Ten Kings dasarajna in Rgveda Srini Kalyanaraman

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Battle of R̥gveda texts. Battle of Ten Kings (dāśarājñá) in R̥gveda Battle of interpretation of R̥gveda texts The battle of ten kings in the world's most ancient text, R̥gveda, is matched by the Battle of R̥gveda texts. An evidence of the battle of texts is presented in this long note, long because it includes full texts from R̥gveda (with alternative translations) and full texts of the papers of Stuhrmann, Witzel and Talageri. Witsel leans on Stuhrmann to distort the meanings of texts. Shrikant Talageri points out how the disagreements between Witzel and Stuhrmann are whitewashed by Witzel on the issue of the identification of the guru of Bharata-s. Some scholars see d ar jñá as a battle between two gurusμ Vi v mitra and Vasiṣṭha [like the academic wars fought on German indology roots, cf. Vishwa Adluri and Joydeep Bagchi's narration in:The Nay Science: A History of German Indology (2014)] about the meanings and purport of ancient Indian texts. The battle of texts is about wars involving dāśarājñá, battle of ten kings R̥gveda documents a battle between the Puru Vedic Aryan kingdoms of the Bharatas, allied with other peoples of the north west India, guided by the royal sage Vi v mitra, and the TrtsuBharata (Puru) king Sudas, who emerges victorious. KF Geldner in his 1951 translation avers that this battle narrative is a historical event. Schmidt has, in 1980, discussed the details of the battle. (Schmidt, H.P. Notes on Rgveda 7.18.5-10. Indica. Organ of the Heras Institute, Bombay. Vol.17, 1980, 41-47.) Reasons/causes for the dāśarājñá, battle of ten kings What was the objective of the battle? In my view, the battlefield in the Ravi riverbasin and the key cause for the battle is provided by the metaphor of 'hungry fish' used in RV VII.18.6:

"Eager for spoil was Turvasa Purodas, fain to win wealth, like fishes urged by hunger. The Bhrgus and the Druhyus quickly listened: friend rescued friend mid the two distant peoples." (Griffith translation)

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Sayana/Wilson translate the r̥ca focussing on Turva a's mission to acquire wealthμ Turvas'a, who was presiding (at solemn rites), diligent in sacrifice, (went to Suda_sa) for wealth; but like fishes restricted (to the element of water), the Bhrigus and Druhyus quickly assailed them; of these two everywhere going the friend (of Suda_sa, Indra) rescued his friend. रयि m. or (rarely) f. (fr. √ रा ; the following forms occur in the वद , रयिस् , °ि्/इम् , °यियिस् , °िीणाम् ; रय्/आ,°य्/ऐ,°य्/आम् ; cf. 2. र) , property , goods , possessions , treasure , wealth (often personified) RV. AV. VS. Br. S3rS. ChUp. This comparison of Matsya people with 'hungry fish' means, that there were rivalries among the people about the use of water from the rivers for their livelihoods (hence, the signifier of hungry fish) and about the impediments caused to acquire wealth. The pun on the word matsya, 'fish' is also a reference to the name of peoples called matsya. Matsya is one of the 16 janapada-s. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsya_Kingdom This may explain the reason why the battle was joined by ten kings since a large number of people from the region of North India were concerned about their livelihood, searching for avenues to acquire wealth.

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A succinct narrative is the summary provided in Wikipedia.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Ten_Kings Belligerents involved in dāśarājñá The Trtsu are the group led by king Sudas. Sudas himself is included in the "ten kings", as the Trtsus are said to be surrounded by ten kings in 7.33.5. But it is not made explicit how this number is supposed to be broken down: if of the peoples mentioned in 7.18, the Turvasas, Yaksuss (pun for Yadu),[4] Matsyas, Bhrgus, Druhyus, Pakthas, Bhalanas, Alinas, Shivas and Visanins are counted, the full number is reached, leaving the Anavas (7.18.14), the Ajas and Sigrus (7.18.19) and the "21 men of both Vaikarna tribes" (7.18.11) without a king, and implying that Bheda (7.18.19, also mentioned 7.33.3 and 7.83.4, the main leader slain by Sudas), Shimyu (7.18.5), and Kavasa (7.18.12) are the names of individual kings. The Bharatas are named among the enemies in 7.33 but not in 7.18. • • • • • • • • •

Alinas: One of the tribes defeated by Sudas at the Dasarajna, and it was suggested that they lived to the north-east of Nuristan, because the land was mentioned by the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang. Anu: Some place them in the Paruṣṇī (Ravi) area. Bhrigus: Probably the priestly family descended from the ancient Kavi Bhrigu. Later, they are related to the composition of parts of the Atharva Veda (Bh gv- ṅgirasa) . Bhalanas: Fought against Sudas in the Dasarajna battle. Some scholars have argued that the Bhalanas lived in the Bolan Pass area. Druhyus: Some align them with the Gandhari (RV I 1.126.7). Matsya are only mentioned in the RV (7.18.6), but later in connection with the lva. Parsuμ The Par u have been connected by some with the ancient Persians. Purus: One of the major tribal confederations in the Rigveda. Panis: Also the name of a class of demons; later associated with the Scythians.

A monograph in German by Rainer Stuhrmann was published in 2016 with a summary English translation by Michael Witzel. http://crossasia-journals.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/index.php/ejvs/article/view/933 https://bharatiya-prakrtisanskrtibhakti.blogspot.in/p/bharatavarsha-ancient-kingdomspeoples.html Bharatavarsha - Ancient Kingdoms and Peoples https://bharatiya-prakrtisanskrtibhakti.blogspot.in/p/dasarajna-yuddha-and-mahabharata.html Dasarajna Yuddha and Mahabharata http://ancientdynasties.blogspot.in/2012/06/battle-of-kings-and-its-timeframe-it-is.html Battle of ten kings and its timeframe Erdosy also sees the d ar jñá as a prototype of Mah bh rata war of later periods. (Erdosy, George (1995), The Indo-Aryans of Ancient South Asia: Language, Material Culture and Ethnicity, Walter de Gruyter).

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The two blogposts expoud a hypothesis that the Mah bh rata war narratives are recollections/restatement of theThe Battle of Ten Kings (dāśarājñá) in R̥gveda. References to the Battle of Ten Kings occur in the following texts: RV VII, hymns 18, 33 and 83.4-8). The full texts of RV VII.18, 33 and 83 are presented below.

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Translation (Sayana/Wilson):

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7.018.01 Our forefathers, Indra, glorifying you, have obtained all desirable (riches); in your gift are cows easy to be milked, and horses, and you are the liberal donor of wealth to the devout. [tve = tvayi, in you]. 7.018.02 You dwell with your glories like a ra_ja_ with his wives; Maghavan, who are wise and experienced, (reward our) praises with the precious metals, with cows, with horses; conduct us who are dependent on your riches. [With the precious metals: pis'a_, silver or gold, and the like; ru_pen.a hiran.ya_dina_ va_; ru_pa may also mean beauty]. 7.018.03 These gratifying and pious hymns, emulous (in earnestness), are addressed on this occasion to you, may the path of your riches lead downwards; may we, Indra, (diligent) in your praise, enjoy felicity. 7.018.04 Desirous of milking you like a milch cow at pasture, Vasis.t.ha has let loose his prayers to you; every one of my people proclaims you the lord of cattle; may Indra be present at our praises. 7.018.05 The adorable Indra made the well-known deep waters (of the Parus.n.i) fordable for Suda_sa, and converted the vehement awakening imprecation of the sacrificer into the calumnation of the rivers. [Converted the vehement: sardhantam s'imyum uchahasya s'a_pam sindhu_na_m akr.n.od as'asti_h = utsahma_na_m bodhma_na_m stotuh s'a_pam abhis'asti_h sindhu_na_m akarot, he made the exerting awakening curse of the praiser the imprecations of the rivers; vis'varu_podbhavam a_tmano abhis'a_pam, the imprecation on his (Indra) has its birth in vis'varu_pa]. 7.018.06 Turvas'a, who was presiding (at solemn rites), diligent in sacrifice, (went to Suda_sa) for wealth; but like fishes restricted (to the element of water), the Bhrigus and Druhyus quickly assailed them; of these two everywhere going the friend (of Suda_sa, Indra) rescued his friend. [The legend: Indra saves one of the two, Suda_sa (and perhaps slays the other), turvas'am avadhi_t; matsyaso nis'itah, fishes limited to water; the people of the country Matsya were attacked by Turvas'a, tena matsyajanapada ba_dhitah; s'rus.t.im cakruh (applied to the Bhrigus) = as'upra_ptim cakruh; sukham turvas'asys cakruh-- making the Bhrigus and Druhyus the allies of Turvas'a]. 7.018.07 Those who dress the oblation, those who pronounce auspicious words, those who abstain from penance, those who bear horns (in their hands), those who bestow happiness (on the world by sacrifice), glorify that Indra, who recovered the cattle of the Arya from the plunderers, who slew the enemies in battle. [Those who dress: Denominations of the persons assisting at religious rites are: 1. paktha_sah, havis.am pa_cakah, cooks of the butter offered in oblation; 2. bhala_nasah, bhadra va_cinah, speakers of that which is lucky; 3. alina_sah, tapobhir apravr.ddhah, not eminent by austerities; 4. vis.a_n.inah, having black horns in their hands for the purpose of scratching kan.d.uyana_rtham, the same as di_ks.itah, having undergone the preliminary purification called di_ks.a; 5. s'iva_sah, ya_ga_dina_ sarvasya lokasya s'ivakarah, the makers happy of all people by sacrifice and the like]. 7.018.08 The evil-disposed and stupid (enemies of Suda_sa), crossing the humble Parus.n.i river, have broken down its banks; but he by his greatness pervades the earth, and Kavi, the son of Ca_yamana, like a falling victim, sleeps (in death). [Sleeps in death: killed Suda_sa]. 7.018.09 The waters followed their regular course to the Parus.n.i, nor (wandered) beyond it; the quick courser (of the king) came to the accessible places, and Indra made the idly-talking enemies, with their numerous progeny, subject among men (to Suda_sa). [Indra is said to have repaired the banks of the river so that the waters -- iyur artham na nyartham-- went to their object, that is, their former bed, not below or beyond it; the enemies Amitra_n are called 10

vadhriva_cah or jalpaka_n]. 7.018.10 They who ride on particoloured cattle, (the Maruts), despatched by Pr.s.n.i and recalling the engagement made by them with their friend (Indra), came like cattle from the pasturage, when left without a herdsman; the exulting Niyut steeds brought them quickly (against the foe). 7.018.11 The hero Indra created the Maruts (for the assistance of the ra_ja_), who, ambitious of fame, slew one-and-twenty of the men on the two banks (of the Parus.n.i), as a well-looking priest lops the sacred grass in the chamber of sacrifice. 7.018.12 You, the bearer of the thunderbolt, did drown S'ruta, Kavas.a, Vr.ddha and afterwards Druhyu, in the waters; for they, Indra, who are devoted to you, and glorify you, preferring your friendship, enjoy it. 7.018.13 Indra, in his might, quickly demolished all their strongholds, and their seven (kinds of) cities; he has given the dwelling of the son of Anu to Tr.tsu; may we, (by propitiating Indra), conquer in battle the ill-speaking man. [Seven kinds of cities: purah sapta, seven cities; nagai_h sapta praka_rah or pra_ka_ra_h, seven-walled; conquer in battle: jes.ma pu_rum manus.yam mr.dhrava_cam, speaking imperfectly or barbarously; or baddhava_cam, whose speech is threatening, obstructing or adverse]. 7.018.14 The warriors of the Anus and Druhyus, intending (to carry off the) cattle, (hostile) to the pious (Suda_sa) perished to the number of sixty-six thousand six hundred and sixty; such are all the glorious acts of Indra. [Sixty-thousand: s.as.t.ih s'ata s'at. sahasra s.as.t.ir adhi s'at. = sixty hundreds, six thousands, sixty, with six more; s'ata_ni = thousands, sahasra_ni_tyartham]. 7.018.15 These hostile, Tr.tsus, ignorantly contending with Indra, fled routed as rapidly as rivers on a downward course, and being discomfited, abandoned all their possessions to Suda_sa. 7.018.16 Indra has scattered over the earth the hostile rival of the hero (Suda_sa), the senior of Indra, the appropriator of the oblation; Indra has baffled the wrath of the wratfhful enemy, and the (foe) advancing on the way (against Suda_sa) has taken the path of flight. 7.018.17 Indra, has effected a valuable (donation) by a pauper; he has slain an old lion by a goat; he has cut the angles of the sacrificial post with a needle; he has given all the spoils (of the enemy) to Suda_sa. [Indra has effected: the three impossible acts are illustrative of the wonderful power of Indra]. 7.018.18 Your numerous enemies, Indra, have been reduced to subjection, effect at some time or other the subjugation of the turbulent Bheda, who holds men praising you as guilty of wickedness; hurl, Indra, your sharp thuderbolt against him. [Bheda: one who breaks or separates; may mean an unbeliever, a na_stika; or, the name of the enemy of Suda_sa]. 7.018.19 The dwellers on the Yamuna and the Tr.tsus glorified Indra when he killed Bheda in battle; the Ajas, the S'igrus, the Yaks.as, offered him as a sacrifice the heads of the horses (killed in the combat). [Offered to him: balim s'i_rs.a_n.i jabhrur as'vya_ni : they represented the best horses, taken; bali may also have the import of a sacrifice]. 7.018.20 Your favours, Indra, and your bounties, whether old or new, cannot be counted like the (recurring) dawn; you have slain Devaka, the son of Ma_nyama_na, and of thine own will, has cast down S'ambara from the vast (mountain). 7.018.21 Para_s'ara, the destroyer of hundreds (of ra_ks.asas), and Vasis.t.ha they who, devoted to you, have glorified you in every dwelling, neglect not the friendship of you (their) benefactor; therefore prosperous days dawn upon the pious. [The destroyer: s'ataya_tu, that is, s'akti, the son of Vasis.t.ha, the father of Para_s'ara (Vis.n.u Pura_n.a 8.4)]. 7.018.22 Praising the liberality of Suda_sa, the grandson of Devavat, the son of Paijavana, the donor of two hundred cows, and of two chariots with two wives, I, worthy (of the gift), 11

circumambulate you, Agni, like the ministrant priest in the chamber (of sacrifice). 7.018.23 Four (horses), having golden trappings, going steadily on a difficult road, celebrated on the earth, the excellent and acceptable gifts (made) to me by Suda_sa, the son of Paijavana, bear me as a son (to obtain) food and progeny. [The excellent: smaddis.t.ayah, an epithet of as'vah: prasa'sta_tisarjana_ s'raddha_dida_na_n:gayukta_, being or having part of a donation made in the belief of presenting what is excellent]. 7.018.24 The seven worlds praise (Suda_sa) as if he were Indra; him whose fame (spreads) through the spacious heaven and earth; who, munificent, has distributed (wealth) on every eminent person, and (for him) the flowing (rivers) have destroyed Yudhyamadhi in war. 7.018.25 Maruts, leaders (of rites), attend upon this (prince) as you did upon Divoda_sa, the father of Suda_sa; favour the prayers of the devout son of Pijavana, and may his strength be unimpaired, undecaying]. Alternative translation (Grifffith): HYMN XVIII. Indra. 18 1. ALL is with thee, O Indra, all the treasures which erst our fathers won who sang thy praises. With thee are milchkine- good to milk, and horses: best winner thou of riches for the pious. 2 For like a King among his wives thou dwellest: with glories, as a Sage, surround and help us. Make us, thy servants, strong for wealth, and honour our songs wirth kine and steeds and decoration. 3 Here these our holy hymns with joy and gladness in pious emulation have approached thee. Hitherward come thy path that leads to riches: may we find shelter in thy favour, Indra. 4 Vasistha hath poured forth his prayers, desiring to milk thee like a cow in goodly pasture. All these my people call thee Lord of cattle: may Indra. come unto the prayer we offer. 5 What though the floods spread widely, Indra made them shallow and easy for Sudas to traverse. He, worthy of our praises, caused the Simyu, foe of our hymn, to curse the rivers' fury. 6 Eager for spoil was Turvasa Purodas, fain to win wealth, like fishes urged by hunger. The Bhrgus and the Druhyus quickly listened: friend rescued friend mid the two distant peoples. 7 Together came the Pakthas, the Bhalanas, the Alinas, the Sivas, the Visanins. Yet to the Trtsus came the Aryas' Comrade, through love of spoil and heroes' war, to lead them. 8 Fools, in their folly fain to waste her waters, they parted inexhaustible Parusni. Lord of the Earth, he with his might repressed them: still lay the herd and the affrighted herdsman. 9 As to their goal they sped to their destruetion: they sought Parusni; even the swift returned not. Indra abandoned, to Sudas the manly, the swiftly flying foes, unmanly babblers. 10 They went like kine unherded from the pasture, each clinging to a friend as chance directed. They who drive spotted steeds, sent down by Prsni, gave ear, the Warriors and the harnessed horses. 11 The King who scattered oneandtwenty— people of both Vaikarna tribes through lust of gloryAs the skilled priest clips grass within the chamber, so hath the Hero Indra, wrought their downfall. 12 Thou, thunderarmed-, overwhelmedst in the waters famed ancient Kavasa and then the Druhyu. Others here claiming friendship to their friendship, devoted unto thee, in thee were joyful. 13 Indra at once with conquering might demolished all their strong places and their seven castles. 12

The goods of Anus' son he gave to Trtsu. May we in sacrifice conquer scorned Puru. 14 The Anavas and Druhyus, seeking booty, have slept, the sixty hundred, yea, six thousand, And sixandsixty— heroes. For the pious were all these mighty exploits done by Indra. 15 These Trtsus under Indras' careful guidance came speeding like loosed waters rushing downward. The foemen, measuring exceeding closely, abandoned to Sudas all their provisions. 16 The heros' side who drank the dressed oblation, Indras' denier, far over earth he scattered. Indra brought down the fierce destroyers' fury. He gave them various roads, the paths' Controller. 17 even with the weak he wrought this matchless exploit: even with a goat he did to death a lion. He pared the pillars' angles with a needle. Thus to Sudas Indra gave all provisions. 18 To thee have all thine enemies submitted: even the fierce Bheda hast thou made thy subject. Cast down thy sharpened thunderbolt, O Indra, on him who harms the men who sing thy praises. 19 Yamuna and the Trtsus aided Indra. There he stripped Bheda bare of all his treasures. The Ajas and the Sigrus and the Yaksus brought in to him as tribute heads of horses. 20 Not to be scorned, but like Dawns past and recent, O Indra, are thy favours and thy riches. Devaka, Manyamanas' son, thou slewest, and smotest Sambara from the lofty mountain. 21 They who, from home, have gladdened thee, thy servants Parasara, Vasistha, Satayatu, Will not forget thy friendship, liberal Giver. So shall the days dawn prosperous for the princes. 22 Priestlike-, with praise, I move around the altar, earning Paijavanas' reward, O Agni, Two hundred cows from Devavans' descendant, two chariots from Sudas with mares to draw them. 23 Gift of Paijavana, four horses bear me in foremost place, trained steeds with pearl to deck them. Sudass' brown steeds, firmlystepping-, carry me and my son for progeny and glory. 24 Him whose fame spreads between wide earth and heaven, who, as dispenser, gives each chief his portion, Seven flowing Rivers glorify like Indra. He slew Yudhyamadhi in close encounter. 25 Attend on him O ye heroic Maruts as on Sudass' father Divodasa. Further Paijavan...