THE UNTOUCHABLES : RACIAL DIFFERENCE ... 299
That the Asuras originally spoke a language which differred from that of the Aryas seems evident. Several passages are quoted by Prof. Muir, from the Rig Veda, in which the word ‘mridavach’ is applied to the speech of the Asuras (R.vi.74, 2; v. vi.3; v.vii.6). Of these passages, Professor Muir observes: “The word mridavach, which I have translated “injuriously speaking”, is explained by Sayana as meaning “one whose organs of speech are destroyed”. [1] The original meaning of the expression was, doubtless that the language of the Asuras was more or less unintelligible to the Aryas. The same explanation will apply to another passage in the Rig Veda, where it is said : ‘May we (by propitiating Indra) conquer the ill speaking man.’ [2]
From the Satapatha Brahmana we find that ‘the Asuras, being deprived of speech, were undone, crying. ‘He lava’, ‘He lava’. Such was the unintelligible speech which they uttered. And he who speaks thus is a Mlecha. Hence, let no Brahman speak barbarous language, since such is the speech of Asuras [3]
We learn from Manu, that ‘those tribes who are outside of the classes produced from the mouth, arms, thighs and feet of Brahman, whether they speak the language of the Mlechas or of the Aryas, are called Dasyus., [4] In the time of Manu, therefore, the Aryan language and that of the Mlechas or Asuras were both in use. At the period described in the Mahabharata, however, the Asura language must have almost died out amongst the Aryanized tribes; as Vidura addressed Yudhishthira in the Mlecha tongue, so as to be unintelligible to all except Yudhishthira. [5]
At a later period than this, however, the grammarian Rama Tarkavagisa refers to ‘those who speak like Nagas.’ [6] It would seem, therefore, that the unregenerate Asuras retained the language, as well as the religion and customs, of their forefathers long after their converted brethren had discarded them. It was evidently amongst these unregenerate tribes that the Paisachi dialects were in use; and amongst these tribes, as we have just seen, were the Dravidian Pandyas. [7]
This view, that the Tamil and cognate tongues were founded upon the ancient Asura speech, is very strongly confirmed by the fact that the language of the Brahuis, a tribe on the borders of Sind, has been found to be very closely allied to them. Indeed, Dr. Caldwell says: ‘The Brahui (language) enables us to trace the Dravidian race, beyond the Indus, to the southern confines of Central Asia. This country, as I have already pointed out, was the home of the Asuras or Nagas, to which race apparently belonged the founders of the Dravidian kingdoms.’
Taking into consideration all the evidence which has been brought forward, the only possible conclusion seems to be, that the Dravidians, of the south of India, were of the same stock as the Asuras or Nagas of the North.”
The second thing to be borne in mind is that the word ‘Dravida’ is not an original word. It is the Sanskritized form of the word Tamil’.
Muir, O.S.T. ii. 49
Rig Veda, Wilson VII, XVIII, 13
Satapatha Br. iii. 2, 1, 23
Muir, Haughton x. 45
Mahabharata, Adi. Jatagriha, p. cx/vii
Muir, O.S.T. ii. 52
Ibid. 49