Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s18.627

v1.c3.s18.627

The Rigvedic hymn certainly appears to represent Devāpi as sacrificing for Śantanu, who seems to be called Aulāna.¹⁰ But there is no trace in it of the brotherhood of the two men, nor is there anything to show that Devāpi was not a Brahmin, but a Kṣatriya. Sieg,¹¹ who interprets the hymn by the Nirukta, thinks that he was a Kṣatriya, but on this occasion was enabled by the favour of Bṛhaspati to officiate as priest, and that the hymn shows clear recognition of the unusual character of his action; but this view seems very improbable.