Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s17.49

v1.c3.s17.49

Takṣaka Vaiśāleya (‘descendant of Viśālā’) is a mythical figure, mentioned as the son of Virāj in the Atharvaveda,¹ and as Brāhmaṇacchamsin priest at the snake sacrifice in the Pañcaviṃśa Brāhmaṇa.² 1. Takṣan, ‘carpenter,’ is mentioned in the Rigveda¹ and often later.² He was employed to do all sorts of work in wood, such as the making of chariots (Ratha) and wagons (Anas). Carved work of a finer type seems also to have fallen to his lot.³ The axe (kuliśa,⁴ paraśu⁵) is mentioned as one of his tools, and perhaps the Bhurij, a word which is, however, uncertain in sense. In one passage of the Rigveda⁶ reference seems to be made to the pains of the carpenter in bending over his work. That the carpenters were a low caste, or formed a separate class of the people, is certainly not true of Vedic times.⁷