elves: Indic counterpart?

[Alfred Collins]

Elves not malevolent?
I don't think you have adequate control of your Tolkein text..  Elves can be quite fierce and are not always well disposed toward humans. (Silmarillion, esp.)
Al Collins

----- Original Message -----
From: Matthew Kapstein <mkapstei at MIDWAY.UCHICAGO.EDU>
Date: Monday, February 7, 2005 11:51 pm
Subject: Re: elves: Indic counterpart?

> aspects of yak.sa-lore seem relevant, too, particularly
> associations with vegetation and wealth,
> though they have a malevolent side which would
> not do for Tolkein's elves (though perhaps accords
> with the mythology more generally).
> On this, of course, see Coomaraswamy.
>
> And what of the vidyaadharas and siddhas, as known
> in the epics? Elvish longevity and command of wonders
> might incline one to favor the vidyaadharas here.
>
> MK
>