Some Foreign Words in Ancient Sanskrit Literature

Summary

The article examines evidence of foreign words in ancient Sanskrit literature. Drawing on archaeological discoveries and philological analysis, it argues that India had cultural contacts with Mesopotamia and the Middle East as early as the third millennium B.C. It notes that Indus Valley seals and Mesopotamian artefacts show exchanges between India and the West and suggests that the Sanskrit language retains exotic words whose origins lie in foreign languages. Examples highlighted include Taimata (Taimat), Aligi–Viligi, and Urugila from the Atharvaveda, which correspond to Babylonian mythological figures and terms such as the dragon Tiamat and the goddess Gula. These correspondences point to borrowing of religious vocabulary and ideas. The article further explores other Vedic words with Semitic roots, showing how they evolved in Indian usage and how their meanings changed over time. It emphasises that early Aryan migrations and trade brought Indian communities into contact with neighbouring cultures, leading to a cross‑fertilisation of myths and languages. By examining the etymology and context of these words, the author demonstrates that Sanskrit preserved vestiges of foreign myths and linguistic forms. The article concludes that the presence of these words offers a valuable window into Indo‑Mesopotamian relations, revealing the dynamic exchanges that shaped early Indian culture. By integrating linguistic evidence with archaeological findings, it encourages a reconsideration of India’s ancient interactions with West Asian civilisations and underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research for reconstructing early history.