Aryans and Dravidians

[pslvax!siva!sadhu at UCSD.EDU]

This is a most interesting discussion!

I am wondering if anyone would care to comment on the theory
of the "Nostratic" language, mentioned in the following
passage from the book "Dancing with Siva", H.H. Sivaya
Subramuniyaswami, isbn 0-945497-48-2, 1993: (page 609)

	"Many scholars today of both East and West believe that the
	people of the Rig Veda who called themsevles Aryan were
	indigenous to India, and there never was an Aryan invason.  The
	various langugaes of India have been shown to share common
	ancestry in ancient Sanskrit and Tamil.   Even these two
	apparently unrelated languages, according to current
	"super-family" research, have a common origin: an ancient
	language dubbed Nostratic.  Finally, there is an ever-increasing
	amount of physical and scriptural evidence that describes a
	gradual evolution of religion and culture in India from
	prehistoric lifestyles to today's rich ethnic diversity."

The Aryan/Dravidian invasion discussion has been interesting, but
has certainly digressed.

Gentlemen, though a newcomer to this list, may I humbly suggest that
personal attacks have no place here?   It is painful to see eminent
scholars use their intellects as weapons.  Please let peace prevail.  I
offer for your enjoyment 17 couplets of the ancient Dravidian poet,
Tiruvalluvar.  Apologies for the length.  

Om Shanti
Sadhunathan Nadesan

------------------------------



     Speaking Pleasant Words

     Verse 95

     Humility and pleasant words are the jewels 
     That adorn a man; there are none other.

     Verse 97

     Words yield spiritual rewards and moral excellence 
     When they do not wander far from usefulness and agreeableness.

     Verse 99

     Why would anyone speak cruel words, 
     Having observed the happiness that kind words confer?

     Verse 100

     To utter harsh words when sweet ones would serve is like eating
     Unripe fruit when ripe ones are at hand.



     Possession of Self-Control


     Verse 127

     Whatever you may fail to guard, guard well your tongue, 
     For flawed speech unfailingly invokes anguish and affliction.

     Verse 128

     By a single word of injury 
     Do all a man's virtues lose their goodness.

     Verse 129

     The wound caused by fire heals in its time; 
     But the burn seared in by an inflamed tongue will never heal.


     Possession of Forbearance

     Verse 151

     Even as the Earth bears those who dig into her, 
     To bear with those who revile us is the foremost of virtues.

     Verse 152

     It is always good to endure injuries done to you, 
     But to forget them is even better.

     Verse 157

     Though unjustly afflicted, it is best to suffer the suffering 
     And refrain from unrighteous response.

     Verse 158

     Let a man conquer by forbearance 
     Those who in their arrogance have wronged him.

     Verse 159

     Those who patiently endure the caustic  rude remarks of the insolent 
     Possess the ascetic's remarkable exceptional rare purity.

     Verse 160

     Great are those who suffer fasting's hardships, 
     But they are surpassed by those who suffer hard words spoken.


     Eloquence

     Verse 641

     Among a man's many good possessions, 
     A good command of speech has no equal.

     Verse 642

     Prosperity and ruin issue from the power of the tongue.
     Therefore, guard yourself against thoughtless speech.

     Verse 643

     The content of worthy speech binds friends more closely, 
     And its eloquence draws even enemies to listen.

     Verse 644

     Judge the nature of your listeners and speak accordingly.  There
     is nothing more virtuous or valuable than this.