The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c9.s7.3

c9.s7.3

The folk-elements and along with them the secular and socio-economic elements of the Vedic age are represented not only by the so-called *Dāsas* (non-Aryans) and *Śūdras* but also by the *Niṣādas*, who are known to be the fifth of the *pañchajanāh* (i.e. five classes of men) of the *Rig Veda*. The *Brihaddevatā* (VII, 69) knows this fifth class. The *Yajurveda*²² also in its *Rudrādhyāya* chapter enumerates them along with *Vrātās* (nomads ?), *Takṣaṇs* (carpenters), *Rathakāras* (chariot makers), *Kulālas* (potters), *Karmāras* (blacksmiths), *Punjiṣṭhas* (fowlers), *Svanins* (dog keepers) and *Mrigayas* (hunters). It is to be noticed that certain economic groups are mentioned along with a tribal group, the *Niṣāda*. The Vedic Aryans did not leave this tribal group in splendid isolation. The performer of the *Viśvajit* (world-conquest) sacrifice was required in the *Panchavimśa Brāhmaṇa* (XVI, 6, 7), for instance, to live for three days among the *Niṣādas*. Chiefs also could be made out of *Niṣādas* by Brāhmaṇa priests by offering certain sacrifices (Kātyāyana : *Srauta Sūtra*, I, 12, and Jaimini : *Mīmāmsā Sūtra*, VI, 1, 51-52). Vedic society was not so one-sided in economic or social morphology or philosophico-religious outlook as is made out by many indologists.