Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c15.s1.10

c15.s1.10

According to the first explanation, the word Moriya is derived from the root *mud*, to rejoice, and the commentator explains the change of *da* to *ra*. Then he gives an alternative etymology connecting the name with *mayūra*, peacock. The commentator states both traditions without committing himself to either, though his detailed explanation of the first might indicate his preference. But to us the first story seems more fantastic than the second. Neither story proves the connection of Moriya with either *mud* or *mayūra* any better than does that relating the Koliyas to the *kola* tree. However, we suggest that the name is not connected with *mud*, but with *mayūra*, which might well have given the name to these people, who perhaps originally looked on the peacock as their totem. The explanation that they also had buildings of blue stone, like the colour of a peacock's neck, is simply absurd.