Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.555

v1.c3.555

Araṇya.—This term denotes the uncultivated land—not necessarily forest land—beyond the village. It is contrasted with home (amā),¹ and with the plough land (kṛṣi),² being spoken of as apart (tiras) from men.³ It is also contrasted with the Grāma,⁴ and it is the place where thieves live.⁵ The character of the forest is described in a hymn of the Rigveda⁶ to the forest spirit (Araṇyānī). The dead are carried there for burial,⁷ and hermits live there.⁸ Forest fires were common.⁹