Ancient Indian Colonization in South-East Asia c10.72

c10.72

The Brāhmaṇas played a dominant part in the religious life of the colonies from the very beginning. An early inscription of Fu-nan mentions a village inhabited by the Brāhmaṇas. Another refers to the Brāhmaṇas versed in Vedas, Vedāṅgas and Upavedas. An inscription of Kambuja of the sixth century A.D. refers to an *ācārya* of Pāśupata sect well-versed in *śabda* or grammar and the two philosophical systems known as Nyāya and Vaiśeṣika. Another inscription of the same date refers to a Brāhmaṇa who was foremost among those who knew *Sāma-veda*. He made a gift of the texts of *Rāmāyaṇa*, *Mahābhārata* and the Purāṇas to a temple, and made arrangements for their daily recitation. This refers to a very interesting practice, well-known in India, which must have helped a great deal in moulding the religious life of the people.