Lexicon

of Rig Veda

turvaśa, Turvasha

Turvasha means (1) overpowering, conquering; (2) fulfiling, acquiring; (3) carrying over, saving. The meaning of the word Yadu, which is always mentioned together with Turvasha, is unknown. Many interpreters and scientists accept Turvasha as the king, the participant of battles, the head of clan, the name of one of five peoples of the Veda, etc. In the analysis of the Riks, mentioning Turvasha and Yadu, becomes obvious insolvency or incompleteness of such treatment. Even if initially these were the names or epithets of two seers increased by Indra and the names of two clans, we have ricks in which different Rishis ask Agni and Indra to bring them from Svar, from the Beyond, from where Ashwins and rays of the Sun come (1.36.18. 1.47.7. 6.45.1), these two ones, once singers, now divine forces, the “two well-leading Turvasha and Yadu” (6.45.1). Perhaps, it is they are the friends of Medhyatithi (1.36.17), and it is they, having killed Vritra , having crossed both firmaments, made the Waters  and Wideness their abode (1.36.8).

Synonyms and words close in meaning:

•  yadu, Yadu