The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (2672 page)

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Authors: John Bowker

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Vratya
.
One bound by a vow. Vratyas appeared as groups of people (bound perhaps by common vows) in NE India, perhaps the first of the
Aryan
invaders. They had their own distinct beliefs and customs which they took with them as they migrated east to Magadha. Their religion was assimilated into the
Atharva Veda
. They persisted as groups of religious functionaries.
V
nd
vana
(Skt., ‘grove of a multitude’). A sacred forest in India by the river Yamun
, near Mathur
, the birthplace of
K
a
. It is a place particularly sacred to
Vai
avas
. The modern town is also known as Brindavan.

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