Ancient Indian Historical Tradition c16.32

c16.32

Moreover kings, princes, and brahmans had the same names as gods and mythological beings and heavenly bodies. There was a Varuṇa among the Vasiṣṭhas³ and among the Bhārgavas.⁴ Agni was the name of an Aurva rishi (p. 68) and of a maharṣi.⁵ Called Bharata were (1) the famous Paurava king, (2) Rāma's brother, and (3) a mythical king after whom (it is said) India was called Bhāratavarṣa.⁶ Aruṇa was the dawn, and two brahmans were so named. Śukra was the name of (1) the ancient Bhārgava rishi, (2) the planet Venus,⁷ and (3) Jābāla. Named Bali was an Ānava king and also the Daitya king Vairocana (p. 63). Rishis and others were named after deities; and heavenly bodies were called after rishis and others, such as the seven stars of the Great Bear and the star Canopus.