Ancient Indian Historical Tradition c10.3

c10.3

The first classification that obviously presents itself is the broad division into the two groups, traditions that are mythological and those that profess to deal with history. Instances of the former are Soma's abduction of Bṛhaspati's wife Tārā and the birth of their son Budha,² the birth of Ilā from Manu's sacrifice,³ and the marriage of Śiva and Pārvatī.⁴ With such we have nothing to do here, though myths that explain the origin of the chief races said to have ruled ancient India may suggest clues for exploring the earliest conditions.