The Religion and Philosophy of the Veda and Upanishads v1.c23.s1.37

v1.c23.s1.37

The Dāsas or Dasyus are also made into enemies of the gods, though, like the Paṇis, their primitive function was doubtless different; in their case it probably was that of aborigines, who opposed the Aryan advance, though Hillebrandt⁶ changes them into Dahae. That in many cases historic men may be meant when Dāsas are overthrown, is true; but gods of the defeated aborigines may also be denoted, and more generally powers of the air opposed to the gods: Dasyus seek to scale heaven,⁷ Indra vanquishes them from birth,⁸ he wins the sun and waters after defeating them,⁹ a Dāsa is husband of the waters,¹⁰ and the Dāsas have seven autumnal forts, doubtless in the air, not on the steppes.