The Religion of the Veda: The Ancient Religion of India (from Rig-Veda to Upanishads) c6.s1.7

c6.s1.7

We do not even know exactly what a term as familiar as *rāja* (*rēx*) "King," meant in those early days. Was a Rāja a great potentate, or merely a tribal chieftain? We know that the early Vedic period was a cattle-raising age. The lowing of kine was lovely music to the ear of the Vedic poet. But there were also workers in metals, chariots, navigation of some kind, gold, jewels, and trade. This is all too vague, and to some extent introduces uncertain quantities into our estimation of Vedic religion.