Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s18.296

v1.c3.s18.296

Dāsa, like Dasyu, sometimes denotes enemies of a demoniac character in the Rigveda,¹ but in many passages² the word refers to human foes of the Āryans. The Dāsas are described as having forts (*puraḥ*),³ and their clans (*viśaḥ*) are mentioned.⁴ It is possible that the forts, which are called ‘autumnal’ (*śaradiḥ*),⁵ may be mythical, but it is not essential, for the epithet may allude to their being resorted to in the autumn season. The Dāsa colour (*Varṇa*)⁶ is probably an allusion to the black skin of the aborigines, which is also directly mentioned.⁷ The aborigines (as Dasyus) are called *anās*, ‘noseless’ (?),⁸ and *mṛdhra-vāc*, ‘of hostile speech,’⁹ and are probably meant by the phallus-worshippers (*śiśna-devāḥ*, ‘whose deity is a phallus’) of the Rigveda.¹⁰ It is significant that constant reference is made to the differences in religion between Ārya and Dāsa or Dasyu.¹¹