Vedic Literature > Atharva Veda > Many Languages

The sūkta on bhūmi or earth (12.1) clearly mentions that the people spoke different languages and had different dharmās or religions. To translate dharma as mere custom is to miss the full significance of the word.

janam bibhratī bahudhā vivāchasam nānādharmāņam pŗthivī yathaukasam.
sahasram dhārā draviņasya me duhām dhruveva dhenuranapaspurantī.
 

AV (12.1.45)

"May earth with people who speak various languages,
      and those who have various religious rites (dharmāņām)
      according to their places of abode,
Pour for me treasure in a thousand streams
      like a constant cow that never fails."

It also calls upon all persons to be hospitable to strangers (7.52.1).
It also mentions that the elders of the race spread out and occupy the entire earth. This is the earliest mention of migration.

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