Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s7.1441

v2.c4.s7.1441

Vrāta is found in several passages of the Rigveda¹ and later² in the sense of ‘troop.’ In one passage of the Rigveda³ the troops of the Maruts are referred to by three different terms—śardha, vrāta, and gaṇa. From this fact Zimmer⁴ has deduced that a Vedic host fought according to clan (Viś), village (Grāma), and family, but this conclusion is hardly warranted, there being nothing to show that there is any intention to present a distinct series of divisions. It is not probable that the word ever has the technical sense of ‘guild,’ as Roth⁵ thinks. Cf. Vrātapati.