Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.363

c7.363

The hymn refers to Yama as king and to the *samiti*. Verse 9 refers to the strength and youthful career of the man who died and was conveyed to Yama. He was of advanced years at the time of his death, “clothing himself in age”, *āyurvasāna*, (verse 10). There are several references to contests among rivals in this long hymn. The man who died appears to have been an important member of the assembly. Another verse indicates that he was powerful man of the tribe, and might even have been the chief of the nobles: “Taking the rod [*daṇḍa*] from the hand of the deceased man together with splendour and strength, thou just there [in Yama’s dominion] here [in our tribe] may we be rich in heroes, conquer all scorners and evil-plotters” (verse 59). The implication seems to be that this man was the chief of the nobles and devoted much of his time to subduing those indigenous hostile peoples who still scorned the Aryan way of life and plotted against them.