Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s3.48

v2.c4.s3.48

The ritual practices of the Bharatas are repeatedly mentioned in the Pañcaviṃśa Brāhmaṇa,¹⁷ the Aitareya Brāhmaṇa,¹⁸ the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa,¹⁹ and the Taittirīya Āraṇyaka.²⁰ Already in the Rigveda²¹ there is mention made of Agni Bhārata (‘of the Bharatas’). In the Āprī hymns²² occurs a goddess Bhāratī, the personified divine protective power of the Bharatas: her association in the hymns with Sarasvatī reflects the connexion of the Bharatas with the Sarasvatī in the Rigveda.⁹ Again, in the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa²³ Agni is referred to as brāhmaṇa Bhārata, ‘priest of the Bharatas,’ and is invited to dispose of the offering Manuṣvat Bharatavat, ‘like Manu,’ ‘like Bharata.’²⁴