Vedic Mythology c7.s6.8

c7.s6.8

Similarly, there are possibly in the RV. some survivals of totemism or the belief in the descent of the human race or of individual tribes or families from animals or plants. Kaśyapa, 'Tortoise', the name of a seer (9, 114²) and of a priestly family (AB. 7, 27), is also frequently found in the AV. and the later Vedic literature⁴ as that of a cosmogonic power nearly related to or identified with the Creator Prajāpati. In a passage of the ŚB. (7, 5, 1⁵) Prajāpati appears in the form of a tortoise (*kūrma*). Here it is remarked that, as *kūrma* is identical with *kaśyapa*, 'therefore men say: all beings are the children of the tortoise (*kaśyapa*)'. The RV. (7, 18⁶· ¹⁹) mentions as tribal names the Matsyas (Fishes)⁵, the Ajas (Goats), and the Śigrus (Horse-radishes). As names of Vedic priestly families also occur the Gotamas⁶ (Oxen), the Vatsas (Calves), the Śunakas (Dogs), the Kauśikas (Owls), and Māṇḍukeyas⁷ (Frog-sons). The father of Saṃvaraṇa (a name occurring in RV. 5, 53¹⁰), from whom the kings of the Kurus claimed descent, is in the Epic called Ṛkṣa (Bear)⁸. HOPKINS, however, expresses a doubt whether the names of animals ever point to totemism in the RV.⁹