Page:History of India Vol 1.djvu/64

34 and come to a region where cattle do not pasture. The extensive region gives shelter to Dasyus only. O Brihaspati! lead us in our search for cattle. O Indra! show the way to your worshippers who have lost their way."

We have already mentioned Kuyava and Ayu, two aboriginal robbers who dwelt in fastnesses surrounded by rivers, and harassed the Aryan villages. We likewise have frequent allusions to another powerful aboriginal leader called Krishna, or Black, probably because of his black complexion. One of the passages relating to him is here rendered:—

"The fleet Black warrior lived on the banks of the Ansumati River with ten thousand troops. Indra of his own wisdom became cognizant of this loud-yelling chief; he destroyed the marauding host for the benefit of (Aryan) men.

"Indra said: 'I have seen the fleet Krishna. He is lurking in the hidden regions near the Ansumati, like the sun in a cloud. O Maruts! I desire you to engage in fight and to destroy him.'

"The fleet Black warrior then appeared shining on the banks of the Ansumati. Indra took Brihaspati as his ally and destroyed the fleet and godless army."

Not only have the aborigines been described as howling, yelling, and devoid of a language, but they are considered scarcely human. We are told in one place:—

"We are surrounded on all sides by Dasyu tribes. They do not perform sacrifices; they do not believe in