History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c62.145.2

v4.c62.145.2

A very large number of kings is mentioned by name in numerous places in the Ṛgveda (e. g. I. 53. 8 and 10, I. 54. 6, I. 100. 17, VII. 33. 2, VIII. 3. 12, VIII. 4. 2). Besides these it appears that there were tribal chiefs or governments of such clans or tribes as the Anus, Druhyus, Turvaśas, Pūrus, Yadus (Rg. I. 108. 8, all in the plural, VII. 18. 6 and VIII. 6. 46). But sometimes these words are used in the singular, when they mean 'a king or chief of that clan'. Vide Rg. VIII. 4. 7, VIII. 10. 5, IV. 30. 17. In the Atharvaveda III. 4. 1 (may you shine forth as the sole ruler of men) that word (*ekarāṭ*) is used in its literal sense and in Atharva VI. 98. 1 (may87b Indra conquer and may he never be defeated, may he shine as the overlord among kings) the idea of an emperor (*adhirāja*) is clearly set forth. In Rg. X. 128. 9⁸⁸ the word 'adhirāja' must be taken in the same sense. The Atharvaveda speaks of an Ugra which word seems to mean a formidable king (or emperor) 'Then you chase away disease as a formidable (king) who is in the midst (of many kings presses hard each of them)' IV. 9. 4. In the Atharvaveda III. 4. 3 it is said 'May the *ugra* see a lot of tribute'. In Rg. X. 34. 8 the word *ugra* has probably the same sense viz. 'a formidable king'. In the Tai. S. II. 6. 2. 2 it is said that men are held (supported or restrained) by the king (tasmād rājñā manuṣyā vidhṛtāḥ). In the Tai. S. I. 8. 10.