potters, brahmins, and RSis (contd.)

[Paul Kekai Manansala]

 Sudalaimuthu Palaniappan <Palaniappa at AOL.COM>
wrote:

> In a message dated 97-10-02 02:40:41 EDT, thillaud at UNICE.FR writes:
>
> << But backed bricks are too common if you have a lot
>  of wood and workers. That can't be a proof. Informations on similar shapes
>  would be better. >>
> F. Staal in his description of Agnicayana ritual cites Converse (1974) as
> saying,"The bricks of the Harappa civilization in its mature phase were
> beautifully made, well fired, and standardized in size. The basic size for
> the bricks was 11 1/2 inches long, 5 3/4 inches wide, and two or three inches
> thick. There were also double bricks 11 inches square, and special bricks for
> well copings, drain covers, corners, etc.
>        Now in the whole of the Rg-Veda there is no word for brick, nor any
> descriptive phrase for bricks.....Thus, in the BrAhmaNas, when references to
> bricks begin to appear, their use is confined to one specialized rite, and
> the rite itself is found only in the Yajurveda tradition......
>        The size of the bricks to be used in the rite was one foot square, and
> half-bricks were also to be used (ZB vii, 5,3,viii,7,2,17). This size ans
> shape corresponds very closely to that of the Harappa bricks described
> above..."
>

If Staal is correct in the assertion that bricks are first mentioned
only in the Yajurveda, then this is a very sound argument.  I have
always thought the Angiras were indigenous priests.  They are
sometimes associated with the domestication of cattle as in Rgveda X
169-2 where domesticated breeds are created by the tapasya of the
Angirasa.  Wild rice is the offering to Brhaspati, an Angirasa
priest  (Satapatha Brahmana V 3-3-5).  The Mahabharata mentions
that the ancient rishis gathered wild rice for sustenance.

The strongest evidence is the close association of the Angirasas with
the Atharvaveda.  The latter work is often seen as a compilation of
indigenous beliefs and practices.

Regards,
Paul Kekai Manansala