[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Vedic Index of Names and Subjects](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912) › v1.c3.s18.296 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s18.296 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s18.296 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c3.s18.296](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.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 - [Previous: v1.c3.s18.295](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s18.295) - [Next: v1.c3.s18.297](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s18.297) - [Up: v1.c3.s18](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s18) ## Linked texts (1) - [Ṛgvedasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.samhita.rg) — Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s18.296](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s18.296) · Pramāṇa