Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s2.178

v2.c4.s2.178

Bṛsaya is mentioned twice in the Rigveda, being in the first passage¹ connected with the Paṇis, and in the second² with the Pārāvatas and the Paṇis. According to the St. Petersburg Dictionary, the word is the name of a demon,³ but is in the second passage² used as an appellative, perhaps meaning ‘sorcerer.’⁴ Hillebrandt⁵ thinks that a people is meant locating them in Arachosia or Drangiana with the Pārāvatas and the Paṇis, and comparing Βαρσαέντης, satrap of Arachosia and Drangiana in the time of Darius.⁶ But this theory is not probable.