Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c17.s5.12

c17.s5.12

The evidence discussed above shows the confusion that exists in both the Pāli and the Sanskrit versions. The Pāli version uses the expression *Doṇa Brāhmaṇa* throughout, which might indicate that for the Pāli writer Doṇa (Sanskrit Droṇa) is the proper name of a single Brāhmaṇa who comes from Veṭhadīpa (Sanskrit Viṣṇudvīpa). The Sanskrit version not only refers to the Brāhmaṇa as coming from Viṣṇudvīpa, but also tells that he is of the Dhūmra *gotra*, and gives what appears to be the alternative name of Viṣṇudvīpa, i.e., Droṇagrāma. We believe that both the versions are confusing, but the Sanskrit version gives certain significant details forgotten by the Pāli—that the Brāhmaṇa was of the Dhūmra *gotra* and came from a Brāhmaṇa settlement of Droṇagrāma. When the Pāli version refers to him as *Doṇa brāhmaṇa* it in fact does not refer to his proper name but implies a place-name equivalent to the Sanskrit Droṇaka or Droṇagrāmaka, one hailing from Droṇagrāma, like the Kauśināraka or Vaiśālika.