Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.351

v1.c3.351

Anu, Ānava.—Grassmann and Roth¹ see in these words designations of people foreign to the Aryans. But it is clear² that they denote a special people, the Anus, who are mentioned with the Yadus, Turvaśas, Druhyus, and Pūrus,³ with the Druhyus,⁴ and with the Turvaśas, Yadus, and Druhyus.⁵ It is also a fair conclusion from their mention in a passage of the Rigveda⁶ that they dwelt on the Paruṣṇī. The inference that the Bhṛgus were connected with this tribe is much more doubtful,⁷ for it rests solely on the fact that in one place⁸ the Bhṛgus and Druhyus are mentioned together, and not Anus and Druhyus. Ānava is used as an epithet of Agni,⁹ but also in the sense of ‘Anu prince,’¹⁰ in one case in conjunction with Turvaśa.¹¹