The term "dāsa" and "dāsyu" in Vedic and other ancient Indian literature has been interpreted by as "servant" or "slave", but others have contested such meaning. The term "dāsa" in the Rigveda, has been also been translated as an enemy, but overall the identity of this term remains unclear and disputed among scholars. According to Scott Levi, if the term "dasas" is interpreted as slaves, then it was an established institution in ancient India by the start of the common era based on texts such as the "Arthashastra", the "Manusmriti" and the "Mahabharata". Slavery was "likely widespread by the lifetime of the Buddha" and it "likely existed in the Vedic period", states Levi, but adds that this association is problematic.