The evolution of word Raja

[Guest guest]

Dear all, The word Raja

could be connected to Rex, a straight

line, with word " go or proceed " and with the word " shine " . While

connecting a

king with Rex, a straight line, or more appropriately proceeding in a

straight

line could have had tribal connotations – say, in his search for the

lost cows

or even a new herd of cows that he can win over from other tribes.

This thinking was probed by Kosambi who tried to see the connection

between Sanskrit words

meaning search for cows and the fight.

 

On the other hand, the classical

meaning of Raj with " going in a dharmic straightline " and not adopt crooked means

in his rule could be a later development and not necessarily that of an RV

connotation. If this is an RV

connotation, it only means the kingship has developed well by the time of RV

and functions of a King were well laid down. This is more evident if we consider the

meaning of Rajas is to excel. The king is seen as leader, who has got

to be better than others in every aspect.

The world Raja in the

context of a cattle fight may be requiring some more discussion, especially if

you consider the word being connected with Shine, then it will have to be

connected with such elements as Sun, Agni (fire)

and Indra (lit. ignite) also. (RV, iii.6.7). Perhaps this is the reason

why the word Rajas is connected with the transit of the Sun and

sometimes, taken to mean Space,the space where Sun moves in a " Straight line " , because the space which

marks the transit of Sun would be shining.

However, I personally

think the word Raj is connected more with the word " worlds " (Rajainsi or Rajamsi ) which itself

might be connected to the word Rajas (water), as worlds have evolved from

water(more correctly, cosmic waters) This meaning is highly evolved covering a gamut of spiritual, cosmological and political understandings.

Last but not least, the sociological meaning of Rajas may be considered to be connected with the word " color " . That

Indra had fought the Purusa (people living in Puras) and after 'sacrificing'

them, he could evolve a social order called Varna. Certainly, here Varna should

not be taken as color but connected with Rajas, the cosmic Order or the Order

of Royalty.

This

is very appropriate since the

pre Varna societies were ruled by Prajapatis (Leader of men) on one

hand and by

chieftains called Raja on the other. Assimilation of these kind of

States, which were interestingly fighting over water and cattle ,

might have led a new Social Order called Varna.

 

Understanding the evolution of the

word Raja will help us understanding the evolution of State in Vedic history

and in turn, help us to understand the complex rituals such as Aswamedha.

I invite comments from the learned members of the group.

with best regards,

Kishore patnaik