Scientific articles often start with the phrase: “The purpose of this article is to examine facts related to…” The content of this paper does not stem from an attempt to render afresh freely available, irrefutable data. Its purpose is to present a new interpretation of specific motifs present in the Indian epic tradition – based mainly on data obtained from reconstructions or facts in potentia. The following paragraphs delineate the unfolding of work undertaken long ago, started but not yet finished.