Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s12.277

v1.c3.s12.277

Gṛha is used in the singular,¹ or oftener in the plural,² to denote the ‘house’ of the Vedic Indian. Dama or Dam has the same sense, while Pastyā and Harmya denote more especially the home with its surroundings, the family settlement. The house held not only the family, which might be of considerable size, but also the cattle³ and the sheep⁴ at night. It was composed of several rooms, as the use of the plural indicates, and it could be securely shut up.⁵ The door (Dvār, Dvāra) is often referred to, and from it the house is called Duroṇa. In every house the fire was kept burning.⁶