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| The Hindu Phenomenon |
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Appendix 1 - Resolving the Ancient Language Problem |
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two other hymns (VIII. 2.41) and (VII. 3.21-24) the poet Kanva
Medhatithi praises king Vibhindu and king Pakasthaman for their
gifts and the Brahaddevata (VI. 42) clearly identifies them as
rulers of Kashi and Bhoja (in eastern Uttar Pradesh and western
Madhya Pradesh, respectively).
Another hymn (III. 53.14) mentions Kikata and its king Pramaganda. Kikata later came to be named Magadha. Thus south Bihar is also mentioned in the Rigveda. This, however, raises the question whether the language of these hymns attributed to authors in present day Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar is different from other hymns composed in Punjab and, if so, how significant is the difference? Telageri has not posed this question. That apart, however, the eastern Aryan theory provides us a possible explanation for the rise of non-Vedic Jainism and Buddhism. Both provide for 23 predecessors of the historically known founders - Mahavir and Gautam Buddha in the sixth century B.C. It may also help fill the gaps in our knowledge of the linguistic history of India, to which Suniti Kumar Chatterjee has drawn our attention. (See Chapter 2.)
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| About Appendix 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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