Dasyus
group · 3 works · 33 mentions · 43 anchored passages
Dasyu · the Dasyu · the Dasyus · dasyus · Dāsas · dasyu · non-sacrificers
spoken of as
1 expressionDasyu12 mentions
Rigveda (Sanskrit) · Atharvaveda (Paippalāda) (Sanskrit)
Sowing barley with the plough, milking food for mankind, O wondrous Aśvins — blowing the Dasyu away with a pipe, you made broad light for the Ārya.
in the texts
Rigveda
Hostile non-sacrificing peoples/demons repeatedly destroyed by Indra, opposed to the sacrificing Āryas.
Those non-sacrificers competing with sacrificers even turned their heads away — when, O Indra, steady driver of bay horses, terrible one, you pressed the lawless ones out from both worlds.
you trod down with your foot even the great Arbuda — from of old you were born for the slaughter of the Dasyus.
When, O Indra, you encompassed both worlds everywhere with your greatness — you thrust out the Dasyu with your sacred prayers, [the gods] who think clearly against those who think [wrongly], O Indra.
Atharvaveda (Paippalāda)
Non-Aryan/hostile human or demonic group named as a possible origin of the sadānvāḥ demons.
Whether you have arisen from hereditary disease (kṣetriya), or whether you have been sent by a man, or whether you were born from the Dasyus — perish hence, O perpetually pursuing ones (sadānvāḥ)!
slayer of foes, slayer of Vṛtra, slayer of Dasyus — bring to us all treasures.
may we smite the Dasyus and be awake to the waters.
Sāmaveda
Mythic enemy tribes/demons defeated by Indra.
Forceful, you burn the lawless Dasyu like a vessel with your blazing flame.
The most glorious, sublimely borne, the mightiest winner of prizes — the true law of heaven set firm in its foundation — he was born as light, the slayer of enemies, the slayer of Vṛtra, the greatest slayer of Dasyus, the slayer of Asuras, the slayer of rivals.