Bharatas
Encyclopedia
Bhāratas are an Aryan tribe mentioned in the Rigveda
, especially in Mandala 3
attributed to the Bharata sage Vishvamitra. In the "river hymn
" RV 3.33, the entire Bharata tribe is described as crossing a river. Bharatá is also used as a name of Agni
(literally, "to be maintained", viz. the fire having to be kept alive by the care of men), and as a name of Rudra
in RV 2.36.8.
Mandala 7
(7.18 etc.) mentions the Bharatas as taking part in the Battle of the Ten Kings
, where they are on the winning side. Due to the victory of the
Bharata chieftain Sudas in this battle, the Bharata tribe was able to
settle in the Kurukshetra
area.
They appear to have been successful in the early power-struggles between the various Aryan and non-Aryan tribes so that in post-Vedic (Epic) tradition, the Mahābhārata
, the eponymous ancestor becomes Emperor Bharata, the mythical conqueror of all of India, and his tribe and kingdom is called Bhārata.
"Bhārata" today is the official name of the Republic of India (see also Etymology of India
).
Rigveda
The Rigveda is an ancient Indian sacred collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns...
, especially in Mandala 3
Mandala 3
The third Mandala of the Rigveda has 62 hymns, mainly to Agni and Indra. It is one of the "family books" , the oldest core of the Rigveda...
attributed to the Bharata sage Vishvamitra. In the "river hymn
Rigvedic rivers
Rivers, such as the Sapta Sindhu , play a prominent part in the hymns of the Rigveda, and consequently in early Vedic religion...
" RV 3.33, the entire Bharata tribe is described as crossing a river. Bharatá is also used as a name of Agni
Agni
Agni is a Hindu deity, one of the most important of the Vedic gods. He is the god of fire and the acceptor of sacrifices. The sacrifices made to Agni go to the deities because Agni is a messenger from and to the other gods...
(literally, "to be maintained", viz. the fire having to be kept alive by the care of men), and as a name of Rudra
Rudra
' is a Rigvedic God, associated with wind or storm, and the hunt. The name has been translated as "The Roarer", or "The Howler"....
in RV 2.36.8.
Mandala 7
Mandala 7
The seventh Mandala of the Rigveda has 104 hymns. In the Rigveda Anukramani, all hymns in this book are attributed to Vasishta...
(7.18 etc.) mentions the Bharatas as taking part in the Battle of the Ten Kings
Battle of the Ten Kings
Battle of the Ten Kings is a battle alluded to in Mandala 7 of the Rigveda , the ancient Indian sacred collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns. It is a battle between Aryans...
, where they are on the winning side. Due to the victory of the
Bharata chieftain Sudas in this battle, the Bharata tribe was able to
settle in the Kurukshetra
Kurukshetra
Kurukshetra is a land of historical and religious importance. Historically the land belonged to Punjab now a district in Haryana state of India. It is a holy place and is also known as Dharmakshetra . According to the Puranas, Kurukshetra is named after King Kuru, the ancestor of Kauravas and...
area.
They appear to have been successful in the early power-struggles between the various Aryan and non-Aryan tribes so that in post-Vedic (Epic) tradition, the Mahābhārata
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
, the eponymous ancestor becomes Emperor Bharata, the mythical conqueror of all of India, and his tribe and kingdom is called Bhārata.
"Bhārata" today is the official name of the Republic of India (see also Etymology of India
Etymology of India
The name India may refer to either the region of Greater India , or to the contemporary Republic of India contained therein....
).