A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1964

c5.1964

VĀLA-KHILYAS. 1. Eleven hymns of an apocryphal or peculiar character interpolated in the Rig-veda. 2. “Pigmy sages no bigger than a joint of the thumb, chaste, pious, resplendent as the rays of the sun.” So described by the Vishnu Purāna, which says that they were brought forth by Samnati (humility), wife of Kratu, and were 60,000 in number. They are able to fly swifter than birds. The Rig-veda says that they sprang from the hairs of Prajāpati (Brahmā). They are the guards of the chariot of the sun. They are also called Kharwas. Wilson says “they are not improbably connected with the character of Däumling, Thaumlin, Tamlane, Tom-a-lyn, or Tom Thumb.”