In the Rigveda, are the Paṇis a class of "rich demons," perhaps a bit miserly, or an enemy tribe? I've seen interpretations of both. In the Rigveda, they steal and hide the cattle/treasures of the gods.
>>18725664This is a very interesting thread, anon! Thank you. We focus a lot on the Dasas, and "they" receive little attention. I think first we must be sure if we are dealing with purely mythical beings or if they were a real group (or groups) of individuals. The theory that most appeals to me is that the Paṇis (like the Dāsas) described in the Rigveda were, in fact, sedentary populations. I find this theory interesting because it says that the Paṇis did not perform sacrifices to the Vedic gods and that they hid treasures and cattle in caves (Vala), and this may be related to Indo-Europeans stealing or recovering cattle from these more urban regions. Perhaps this reflects this archetype a little. But then Witzel and his habit of saying that anything without a secure etymology is necessarily non-IE says that the word is "non-IE". I haven't researched the etymology of this word in depth, but considering that Witzel was wrong about the word "brick" being of "bmac" origin, I have my doubts.
>>18725664
>>18725664It could be an allegory for people who skimp out on the Brahmin's rightful offerings. One of the latter Veddas has an entire hymn about how you shan't come between a Brahmin and divinely given cows. It expounds on great detail how great your punishment will be if you steal the Brahmin's cow. How you will become poor and all your children will die because of the cows rage and hatred, how after dying you will be burned and devoured then regenerated just for it to happen all over again for a squillion years if you withold the Brahmin's gift. The veddas are very practical texts, so I ngl presume it will probably be an attack against wealthmen who choose not to give the Brahmins their cows. If we interpret the text's literally. Which I do.
>>18725900I'm talking about Hymnd IV and V of the Atharvaveda, btw.https://archive.sacred-texts.com/hin/av/av12004.htmFor your reading enjoyment.
>>18725900>allegoryNo
>>18725910Ok, maybe not an allegory. Maybe they were literally calling the cow withholders demons.
>>18725922I wouldn't put it above the Brahmin's, anyway.
