Book Title: Most Ancient Aryan Society
Author(s): Ram Chandra Jain
Publisher: Institute of Bharatalogical Research Sriganganagar Rajasthan
View full book text
________________
(19
)
clear answer. If the material relics are read with the descriptions of institutions and people whom the Rgvedic Āryans violently over-ran ; we find a definite answer.
We witness a self-sufficient, peaceful and homogenous society throughout the vast Bhāratiya region in this age. The prosperity of the villages and towns rested on agriculture, industry and trade. All the archæologists and historians agree on this point that this region was very weak in military and police power and the problem that has haunted them is to find that self-propelled adjunct that kept this vast humanity in unity as well as in prosperity in tact for thousands of years. Stuart Piggot maintains that the priesthood of some religion was the potent force behind this organisation.'
Rgveda is a Vincent Smithonian interpretation of the pre-Aryan Bhāratīya life by the invading semi-civilized nomadic Bralımāryans; still some truth may be gleaned from it, of course, with the help of subtle discerning skill, regarding the nature of the way of their adversaries; the Bhāratīya people.
The Brahmāryan adversaries were termed by them as Asuras, Dāsas, Dašyus, Panis, Rākşasas and Větras-all belonging to the Ahi sub-race. They were opposed to the basic Aryan way of life, the institution of Yajña. They were unbelivers, following other rites and not worshipping the Āryan gods.8 Their society was organised in Janas or Peoples or Republics. Panchajanāḥ or Five Peoples or Five Republics of Pūru, Yadu, Turvasa, Aņu and Druhyu; the Asuras and Dāsas; were the most important of them. These Pañchajanāḥ confederated with other five republics of the Abi sub-race in Dasarājña War who gave the last bitterest oppoşition to the Brahmāryan military forces. They were all
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org