Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s21.587

v1.c3.s21.587

Ludwig,⁵ however, sees in several other places an allusion to the Parśus. Thus in one passage of the Rigveda⁶ he finds a reference to the defeat of Kuruśravaṇa by the Parśus; in another⁷ he finds a reference to the Pṛthus and Parśus—i.e., the Parthians and the Persians. He also sees the Parthians in Pārthava, a name found in one hymn.⁸ The same view is taken by Weber,⁹ who holds that historical connexions with the Persians are referred to. But Zimmer⁹ points out that this conclusion is not justified; the Parśus were known to Pāṇini¹⁰ as a warrior tribe; the Pāraśavas were a tribe in south-west Madhyadeśa; and the Periplus¹¹ knows a tribe of Parthoi in north India. At most the only conclusion to be drawn is that the Indians and Iranians were early connected, as was of course the case. Actual historical contact cannot be asserted with any degree of probability.