¹ This is part of a study of iron in early India undertaken at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities of Edinburgh University between October 1974 and March 1975. I am indebted to the authorities of the Institute and to Professor Stuart Piggott, Dr. A. M. Snodgrass, and Dr. F. R. Allchin for their help and encouragement.

² The texts and translations consulted are: Ṛgveda Saṃhitā, Tilak Maharashtra University, Poona, 1933 onwards;Google ScholarMüller, F. Max, Ṛgveda Saṃhitā, 2 vols., Varanasi, 1965 (reprint);Google ScholarWilson, H. H., Rigveda Sanhitā, 6 vols., London, 1850–1888;Google ScholarGriffith, R. T. H., The hymns of the Rigveda, 2 vols., Benares, 1896–1897.Google Scholar

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²³ The evidence of the Buddhist canonical literature has been surveyed by Pleiner, op. cit., though he omits the Kasibhāradvājasutta reference. He hesitates to accept ayo as iron in some cases. A fresh survey of the entire evidence makes us believe that there is no need to treat ayo as anything but iron in these contexts. Apart from the evidence cited in the present paper the evidence of the Buddhist canonical literature on this point is of no historical value (the texts mention only iron spikes, balls, etc.) and has been omitted here.

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