handbooks on the history of religions

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HANDBOOKS ON THE HISTORY OFRELIGIONS

EDITED BY MORRIS JASTROW, JR., PH.D.Professor of Semitic Languages in the University of Pennsylvania

VOLUME I

HANDBOOKS ON THE HISTORY OF

RELIGIONSTHE

RELIGIONS OF INDIA

BY

EDWARD WASHBURN HOPKINSPh.D. (LEIPSIC)

PROFESSOR OF SANSKRIT AND COMPARATIVE PHILOLOGY IN BRYN MAWR COLLEGE

"This holy mystery I declare unto you: There is nothing nobler than humanity."

THE MAH[=A]BH[=A]RATA.

LONDONEDWARD ARNOLD

37 BEDFORD STREET, STRAND

PUBLISHER TO THE INDIA OFFICE

1896

(All rights reserved


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COPYRIGHT, !"#, BY

EDWARD WASHBURN HOPKINS

TO THE MEMORY OF

WILLIAM DWIGHT WHITNEY

THIS VOLUME

IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED

BY THE AUTHOR

PREFATORY NOTEBY THE EDITOR.

The growing interest both in this country an abroa in the historica! stuy o" re!igions is one o" thenoticeab!e "eatures in the inte!!ectua! #hases o" the #ast ecaes. The $ore genera! inications o"this interest $ay be seen in such "ounations as the %ibbert an &i""or Lectureshi#s in Eng!an'an the recent organiation o" an $erican co$$ittee to arrange in *arious cities "or !ectures on thehistory o" re!igions' in the estab!ish$ent o" a s#ecia! e#art$ent "or the sub+ect at the ,ni*ersity o"Paris' in the organiation o" the -use &ui$et at Paris' in the #ub!ication o" a +ourna!/the!evuede l#istoire des !eligions/uner the aus#ices o" this -useu$' an in the creation o" chairs at theCo!!0ge e rance' at the ,ni*ersities o" %o!!an' an in this country at Corne!! ,ni*ersity an the,ni*ersity o" Chicago'213 with the #ros#ect o" others to "o!!ow in the near "uture. or the $ores#ecia! inications we $ust turn to the s#!eni !abors o" a !arge array o" scho!ars toi!ing in the*arious e#art$ents o" ancient cu!ture/Inia' 4aby!onia' ssyria' Egy#t' Pa!estine' rabia'Phoenicia' China' &reece' an 5o$e/with the resu!t o" securing a "ir$ basis "or the stuy o" there!igions "!ourishing in those countries/a resu!t ue $ain!y to the isco*ery o" "resh sources an tothe increase o" the !atter brought about by e#!oration an incessant research. The etai!e stuy o"the "acts o" re!igion e*erywhere' both in #ri$iti*e society an in a*ancing ci*i!iation' an thee$#hasis !ai u#on gathering an unerstaning these "acts #rior to $a7ing ones euctions' hassucceee in setting asie the s#ecu!ations an genera!iations that unti! the beginning o" this

century #arae uner the na$e o" Phi!oso#hy o" 5e!igion.Such has been the scho!ar!y acti*ity is#!aye an the "erti!ity resu!ting' that it see$s both esirab!ean ti$e!y to "ocus' as it were' the array o" "acts connecte with the re!igions o" the ancient wor! insuch a $anner that the su$$ary resu!ting $ay ser*e as the #oint o" e#arture "or "urtherin*estigations.

This has been the !eaing thought which has suggeste the series o" %anboo7s on the %istory o"5e!igions. The treat$ent o" the re!igions inc!ue in the series i""ers "ro$ #re*ious atte$#ts in theai$ to bring together the ascertaine resu!ts o" scho!arshi# rather than to $a7e an aitiona!contribution' though the character o" the scho!ars whose co:#eration has bee# secure +usti"ies theho#e that their #rouctions wi!! a!so $ar7 an a*ance in the inter#retation o" the sub+ect assigne to

each. In accor with this genera! ai$' $ere iscussion has been !i$ite to a $ini$u$' whi!e thechie" stress has been !ai u#on the c!ear an "u!! #resentation o" the ata connecte with eachre!igion.


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uni"or$ #!an has been rawn u# by the eitor "or the orer o" treat$ent in the *arious *o!u$es'by "o!!owing which it is ho#e that the continuous character o" the series wi!! be secure.

In this #!an the nees o" the genera! reaer' as we!! as those o" the stuent' "or who$' in the "irst#!ace' the series is esigne' ha*e been 7e#t in *iew. "ter the introuction' which in the case o"each *o!u$e is to be e*ote to a setting "orth o" the sources an the $etho o" stuy' a cha#ter"o!!ows on the !an an the #eo#!e' #resenting those ethnogra#hica! an geogra#hica!consierations' together with a brie" historica! s7etch o" the #eo#!e in ;uestion' so essentia! to anunerstaning o" inte!!ectua! an re!igious !i"e e*erywhere.

In the thir section' which $ay be eno$inate the 7erne! o" the boo7' the subi*isions an orero" #resentation necessari!y *ary' the i*ision into #erios being best aa#te to one re!igion' thegeogra#hica! orer "or another' the grou#ing o" the$es in a !ogica! se;uence "or a thir< but in e*erycase' the range co*ere wi!! be the sa$e' na$e!y' the be!ie"s' inc!uing the #antheon' the re!ation tothe gos' *iews o" !i"e an eath' the rites/both the o""icia! ones an the #o#u!ar custo$s/there!igious !iterature an architecture. "ourth section wi!! "urnish a genera! esti$ate o" the re!igion'its history' an the re!ation it bears to others. Each *o!u$e wi!! conc!ue with a "u!! bib!iogra#hy'ine' an necessary $a#s' with i!!ustrations introuce into the tet as ca!!e "or. The Eitor has

been "ortunate in securing the ser*ices o" istinguishe s#ecia!ists whose #ast !abors an thoroughunerstaning o" the #!an an #ur#ose o" the series "urnish a guarantee "or the success"u! eecutiono" their tas7.

It is the ho#e o" the Eitor to #rouce in this way a series o" $anua!s that $ay ser*e as tet=boo7s"or the historica! stuy o" re!igions in our uni*ersities an se$inaries. In aition to su##!ying thiswant' the arrange$ent o" the $anua!s wi!!' it is e#ecte' $eet the re;uire$ents o" re!iab!ere"erence=boo7s "or ascertaining the #resent status o" our 7now!ege o" the re!igions o" anti;uity'whi!e the #o#u!ar $anner o" #resentation' which it wi!! be the ai$ o" the writers to carry out'

+usti"ies the ho#e that the genera! reaer wi!! "in the *o!u$es no !ess attracti*e an interesting.

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA.> > > > >

FOOTNOTES$

2ootnote 1? In an artic!e by the writer #ub!ishe in the$iblical %orld(,ni*ersity o" ChicagoPress) "or @anuary' 189A' there wi!! be "oun an account o" the #resent status o" the %istorica! Stuyo" 5e!igions in this country.3

> > > > >

CHAPTER I.%INTRODUCTION.SOURCES.%DATES.%METHODS OF INTERPRETATION.%DIVISIONS OF SUBJECT.

SOURCES.

Inia a!ways has been a !an o" re!igions. In the ear!iest Beic !iterature are "oun not on!y hy$nsin #raise o" the acce#te gos' but a!so oubts in regar to the worth o" these gos< the beginningso" a new re!igion incor#orate into the ear!iest recors o" the o!. n !ater' when' about A 4.C'-egasthenes was in Inia' the escenants o" those "irst theoso#hists are sti!! iscussing' a!beit in

$ore $oern "ashion' the ;uestions that !ie at the root o" a!! re!igion. " the #hi!oso#hers' thosethat are $ost esti$ab!e he ter$s 4rah$ans (2&ree7? brachmanas3). These iscuss with $any worsconcerning eath. or they regar eath as being' "or the wise' a birth into rea! !i"e/into the ha##y


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!i"e. n in $any things they ho! the sa$e o#inions with the &ree7s? saying that the uni*erse wasbegotten an wi!! be estroye' an that the wor! is a s#here' which the go who $ae an owns it#er*aes throughout< that there are i""erent beginnings o" a!! things' but water is the beginning o"wor!=$a7ing' whi!e' in aition to the "our e!e$ents' there is' as "i"th' a 7in o" nature' whenceca$e the s7y an the stars. n concerning the see o" things an the sou! they ha*e $uch to saya!so' whereby they wea*e in $yths' +ust as oes P!ato' in regar to the sou!s i$$orta!ity' +ug$ent

in he!!' an such things.213n as Inia cons#icuous!y is a country o" crees' so is its !iterature #reF$inent!y #riest!y anre!igious. ro$ the "irst Bea to the !ast Pur2Ga3na' re!igion "or$s either the sub+ect=$atter o" the$ost i$#ortant wor7s' or' as in the case o" the e#ics'2H3 the basis o" iactic ecursions ansectarian inter#o!ations' which i$#art to wor!!y the$es a tone #ecu!iar!y theo!ogica!. %istory anoratory are un7nown in Inian !iterature. The ear!y #oetry consists o" hy$ns an re!igious #oe$sas' Latin*icus' an these' again' intogr45a6mas. The na$es' howe*er' are not e$#!oye with strictness' an

9ana' ety$o!ogica!!y gens but #o!itica!!y tribus' so$eti$es is use as a synony$ o"gr45a6ma.2O3" the ten boo7s o" the 5ig=Bea se*en are ascribe to *arious #riest!y "a$i!ies. In the $ain' these

boo7s are ritua!s o" song as incu!cate "or the sa$e rites by i""erent "a$i!y #riests an theirescenants. 4esies these there are boo7s which are ascribe to no "a$i!y' an consist' in #art' o"$ore genera! $ateria!. The istinction o" #riest!y "a$i!y=boo7s was one' #ossib!y' coetensi*e with

#o!itica! e$arcation. Each o" the "a$i!y=boo7s re#resents a #riest!y "a$i!y' but it $ay re#resent'a!so' a #o!itica! "a$i!y. In at !east one case it re#resents a #o!itica! boy.23

These great #o!itica! grou#s' which' #erha#s' are re#resente by "a$i!y ritua!s' were essentia!!y

a!i7e in !anguage' custo$ an re!igion (a!though $inor ritua!istic i""erences #robab!y obtaine' aswe!! as triba! #re"erence "or #articu!ar cu!ts)< whi!e in a!! these res#ects' as we!! as in co!or an otherracia! #ecu!iarities' the ryans were istinguishe "ro$ the ar7=s7inne aborigines' with who$'unti! the en o" the 5ig Beic #erio' they were #er#etua!!y at war. t the c!ose o" this #erio thei$$igrant ryans ha reuce to s!a*ery $any o" their unbe!ie*ing an barbarian ene$ies' an"or$a!!y incor#orate the$ into the state organiation' where' as ca#ti*es' s!a*es' or sons o" s!a*es'the !atter "or$e the "ourth caste. 4ut whi!e a$itting these s!a*es into the boy #o!itic' the

#riest!y ryans ebarre the$ "ro$ the re!igious congregation. 4etween the ryans the$se!*esthere is in this #erio a !oose!y e"ine istinction o" c!asses' but no syste$ o" caste is 7nown

be"ore the c!ose o" the "irst Beic Co!!ection. Ke*erthe!ess' the e$#hasis in this state$ent !iesstrong!y u#on syste$' an it $ay not be ;uite i!e to say at the outset that the genera! caste=

istinctions not on!y are as o! as the Ino=Iranian unity (a$ong the Persians the sa$e i*ision o"#riest' warrior an husban$an obtains)' but' in a!! #robabi!ity' they are $uch o!er. or so !ong asthere is a cu!t' e*en i" it be o" s#irits an e*i!s' there are #riests< an i" there are chie"tains there is anobi!ity' such as one "ins a$ong the Teutons' nay' e*en a$ong the $erican Inians' where a!so is7nown the ine*itab!e i*ision into #riests' chie"s an co$$ons' so$eti$es hereitary' so$eti$esnot. There $ust ha*e been' then' "ro$ the beginning o" 7ingshi# an re!igious ser*ice' a i*isiona$ong the ryans into roya!ty' #riests' an #eo#!e' i.e.' whoe*er were not acting as #riests orchie"tains. Mhen the #eo#!e beco$es agricu!tura!' the i""erence tens to beco$e #er$anent' an acaste syste$ begins. Kow' the Beic ryans a##ear in history at +ust the #erio when they are on the$o*e southwars into Inia< but they are no irru#ting host. The batt!es !e the warriors on' but the"o!7' as a "o!7' $o*e s!ow!y' not a!! abanoning the country which they ha gaine' but sett!ingthere' an sening onwars on!y a #art o" the #eo#!e. There was no "ie !ine o" e$arcation

between the c!asses. The 7ing or another $ight act as his own #riest/yet were there #riest!y"a$i!ies. The cow=boys $ight "ight/yet were there those o" the #eo#!e that were es#ecia!!y7ings$en' r45a69anyas' an these were' a!reay' #ractica!!y a c!ass' i" not a caste263. These natura!an necessary socia! i*isions' which in ear!y ti$es were anything but rigi' soon "or$e in*io!ab!egrou#s' an then the caste syste$ was co$#!ete. In the #er"ecte !ega! sche$e what was usage

beco$es uty. The warrior $ay not be a #ub!ic #riest< the #riest $ay not ser*e as warrior orhusban$an. The "ar$er #eo#!e were the resu!t o" e!i$inating "irst the #riest!y' an then the"ighting "actors "ro$ the who!e boy #o!itic. 4ut these castes were a!! ryans' an as suchistinguishe $ost shar#!y' "ro$ a re!igious #oint o" *iew' "ro$ the "ourth caste< whereas a$ong

the$se!*es they were' in re!igion' e;ua!s. 4ut they were #ractica!!y i*ie by interests thatstrong!y a""ecte the e*e!o#$ent o" their origina! !itanies. or both #riest an warrior !oo7e ownon the #eo#!e' but #riest an warrior "eare an res#ecte each other. To these the thir estate was


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necessary as a base o" su##!ies' an together they guare it "ro$ "oes i*ine an $orta!. 4ut toeach other they were necessary "or wea!th an g!ory' res#ecti*e!y. So it was that e*en in the ear!iest

#erio the re!igious !itany' to a great etent' is the boo7 o" worshi# o" a warrior=c!ass as #re#are "orit by the #riest. Priest an 7ing/these are the $ain "actors in the $a7ing o" the hy$ns o" the 5igBea' an the gos !aue are chie"!y the gos #atronie by these c!asses. The thir estate ha its"a*orite gos' but these were !itt!e regare' an were in a state o" ecaence. The s!a*es' too' $ay

ha*e ha their own gos' but o" these nothing is 7nown' an one can on!y sur$ise that here anthere in certain traits' which see$ to be un=ryan' $ay !ie an unac7now!ege !oan "ro$ theaborigines.

4etween the 5ig Bea an the "or$ation or co$#!etion o" the net Bea' ca!!e the thar*an' theinter*a! a##ears to ha*e been consierab!e' an the inherent *a!ue o" the re!igion incu!cate in the!atter can be esti$ate aright on!y when this is weighe together with the "act' that' as is !earne"ro$ the thar*ans own state$ents' the ryans were now a*ance "urther southwars aneastwars' ha isco*ere a new !an' $ae new gos' an were now $ore #er$anent!yestab!ishe' the !ast a "actor o" so$e $o$ent in the re!igious e*e!o#$ent. Inications o" thei""erence in ti$e $ay be seen in the geogra#hica! an #hysica! !i$itations o" the o!er #erio as

co$#are with those o" the !ater thar*an. Mhen "irst the ryans are "oun in Inia' at the ti$e o"the 5ig Bea' they are !ocate' "or the $ost #art' near the ,##er Inus (Sinhu). The &anges'$entione but twice' is bare!y 7nown. n the west the ryans !ingere in East Jabu!istan (#ossib!yin Jash$eer in the north)< an e*en Janahar a##ears' at !east' to be 7nown as ryan. That is tosay' the %inus were sti!! in "ghanistan' a!though the greater $ass o" the #eo#!e ha a!reaycrosse the Inus an were #rogresse so$e istance to the east o" the Pun+2Ga3b. That the race wassti!! $igrating $ay be seen "ro$ the hy$ns o" the 5ig Bea itse!".2N3 Their +ourney was to thesouth=east' an both be"ore an a"ter they reache the Inus they !e"t sett!e$ents' chie"!y about theInus an in the Pun+2Ga3b (a #ost=Beic grou#)' not in the southern but in the northern #art o" thisistrict.283

The Beic ryans o" this "irst #erio were ac;uainte with the Inus' Sut!e+ (Wuturi)' 4eas

(Bi#2Ga3Z' 2&ree7? #htsis3)' 5a*i (Parushni or Ir2Ga3*at2Gi3)< the #air o" ri*ers that unite an "!owinto the Inus' *i.? @he!u$ (Bitast2Ga3' 4ehat)' an Chin2Ga3b (si7ni'293 7esines)< an 7new there$oter Jubh2Ga3 (2&ree7? J[#hh\n3' Jabu!) an the northern Su*2Ga3stu (Swat)< whi!e theya##ear to ha*e ha a !egenary re$e$brance o" the 5as2Ga3' *estan 5a2.n3ha (5angha)' su##ose

by so$e to be ientica! with the raes or aartes' but #robab!y (see be!ow) on!y a *ague strea$'the o! na$e tra*e!!ing with the$ on their wanerings< "or one wou! err i" he regare si$i!arityor e*en ientity o" a##e!!ation as a #roo" o" rea! ientity.213 Mest o" the Inus the Juru$ an&o$a! a##ear to be 7nown a!so. -any ri*ers are $entione o" which the na$es are gi*en' but their!ocation is not estab!ishe. It is "ro$ the istrict west o" the Inus that the $ost "a$ous Sans7ritgra$$arian co$es' an !ong a"ter the Beas an Inic #eo#!e are 7nown in the Janahar istrict'whi!e Jash$eer was a !ate ho$e o" cu!ture. The Saras*ati ri*er' the na$e o" which is trans"erre at!east once in historica! ti$es' $ay ha*e been origina!!y one with the rghan2Ga3b (on which isJanahar)' "or the Persian na$e o" this ri*er (sbeco$es h) is %arah*ati (rachotos' rachosia)'an it is #ossib!e that it was rea!!y this ri*er' an not the Inus which was "irst !aue as theSaras*at2Gi3. In that case there wou! be a #er"ect #ara!!e! to what has #robab!y ha##ene in thecase o" the 5as2Ga3' the na$e/in both cases $eaning on!y the strea$ (!i7e 5hine' rno' etc.)/

being trans"erre to a new ri*er. 4ut since the Iranian %arah*ati "ies the "irst ri*er o" this na$e'there is here a stronger #roo" o" Ino=Iranian co$$unity than is "urnishe by other ea$#!es.2113

These "acts or suggesti*e #ara!!e!s o" na$es are o" eceeing i$#ortance. They inicate betweenthe Beic ryans an the Iranians a connection $uch c!oser than usua!!y has been assu$e. The

bearings o" such a connection on the re!igious ieas o" the two #eo#!es are se!"=e*ient' an wi!!

o"ten ha*e to be touche u#on in the course o" this history. It is o" !ess i$#ortance' "ro$ the #resent#oint o" *iew' to say how the ryans entere Inia' but since this ;uestion is a!so connecte withthat o" the re!igious en*iron$ent o" the "irst %inu #oets' it wi!! be we!! to state that' a!though' as


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so$e scho!ars $aintain' an as we be!ie*e' the %inus $ay ha*e co$e with the Iranians through theo#en #ass o" %erat (%arai*a' %aroyu)' it is #ossib!e that they #arte "ro$ the !atter south o" the%inu7ush21H3 (escening through the Johistan #asses "ro$ the north)' an that the two #eo#!esthence i*erge south=east an south=west res#ecti*e!y. Keither assu$#tion wou! #re*ent thecountry !ying between the %arah*ati an Bitast2Ga321A3 "ro$ being' "or generations' a co$$onca$#ing=groun "or both #eo#!es' who were unite sti!!' but graua!!y i*erging. This see$s' at

!east' to be the $ost reasonab!e e#!anation o" the "act that these two ri*ers are to each #eo#!e their"arthest 7nown western an eastern !i$its res#ecti*e!y. Mith the ece#tion o" the *ague anuncertain 5as2Ga3' the Beic %inus geogra#hica! 7now!ege is !i$ite by Janahar in the west' asis the Iranians in the east by the Bitast2Ga3.21O3 Korth o" the Bitast2Ga3 -ount Tricota (Tri7a7u'three #ea7s) is *enerate' an this together with a -ount -2Gu3+a*at' o" which the situation is

#robab!y in the north' is the etent o" $oern 7now!ege in res#ect o" the natura! bounaries o" theBeic #eo#!e. ne hears' to be sure' at a !ater ti$e' o" northern Jurus' whose "e!icity is #ro*erbia!vattha)' uner which are "ab!e to sit the i*inities in hea*en' is scarce!y 7nown in the 5ig Bea'

but is we!! 7nown in the thar*an< whi!e Inias granest tree' the nyagrodha' "icus inica' is 7nownto the thar*an an 4rah$anic #erio' but is utter!y "oreign to the 5ig Bea. Qi$$er ee$s it no!ess signi"icant that "ishes are s#o7en o" in the thar*an an are $entione on!y once in the 5igBea' but this $ay inicate a geogra#hica! i""erence !ess than one o" custo$. In on!y one oubt"u!

#assage is the north=east $onsoon a!!ue to. The stor$ so *i*i!y escribe in the 5ig Bea is thesouth=west $onsoon which is "e!t in the northern Pun+2Ga3b. The north=east $onsoon is "e!t to thesoutheast o" the Pun+2Ga3b' #ossib!y another inication o" geogra#hica! etension' witha! within the!i$its o" the 5ig Bea itse!".

The seat o" cu!ture shi"ts in the 4rah$anic #erio' which "o!!ows that o" the Beic #oe$s' an is"oun #art!y in the ho!y !an o" the west' an #art!y in the east (4eh2Ga3r' Tirhut).2HA3 The!iterature o" this #erio co$es "ro$ ryans that ha*e #asse out o" the Pun+2Ga3b. Probab!y' as weha*e sai' sett!e$ents were !e"t a!! a!ong the !ine o" #rogress. E*en be"ore the wier 7now!ege o"the #ost=!eanrine i$#eria! age (at which ti$e there was a north=western $i!itary retrogression)'an' "ro$ the Beic #oint o" *iew' as !ate as the en o" the 4rah$anic #erio' in the ti$e o" the,#anishas' the northwest see$s sti!! to ha*e been "a$i!iar!y 7nown.2HO3

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FOOTNOTES$

2ootnote 1? Me ta7e this o##ortunity o" stating that by the re!igions o" the ryan %inus we $eanthe re!igions o" a #eo#!e who' unoubte!y' were "u!!=b!ooe ryans at "irst' howe*er $uch their

b!oo $ay ha*e been i!ute !ater by un=ryan a$iture. Ti!! the ti$e o" 4uhis$ the re!igious!iterature is "air!y ryan. In the #erio o" %inuis$ neither #eo#!e nor re!igion can c!ai$ to be;uite ryan.3

2ootnote H? I"' as thin7s Schraer' the ryans origina! seat was on the Bo!ga' then one $ust

i$agine the Ino=Iranians to ha*e 7e#t together in a south=eastern e$igration.3

2ootnote A? That is to say' "re;uent re"erence is $ae to


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"i*e tribes. So$e scho!ars eny that the tribes are ryan a!one' an c!ai$ that "i*e' !i7e se*en' $eans $any.3

2ootnote O? 5B. III. AA. 11< A. 1H. Qi$$er'Altindisches Leben' #. 16' incorrect!y ienti"ies vi>with tribus (Leist'!echtsgeschichte' #. 1).3

2ootnote ? BiZ*2Ga3$itra. "ew o" the hy$ns are not ascribe to #riests at a!! (so$e were $ae by wo$en< so$e by roya!=seers' i.e.7ings' or' at !east' not #riests).3

2ootnote 6? Caste' at "irst' $eans #ure' an signi"ies that there is a $ora! barrier between the castean outcast. The wor now #ractica!!y $eans c!ass' e*en i$#ure c!ass. The nati*e wor $eansco!or' an the "irst "or$a! istinction was nationa!' (white) ryan an b!ac7=$an. The #receentc!ass=istinctions a$ong the ryans the$se!*es beca$e "ie in course o" ti$e' an the !ines

between ryans' in so$e regars' were rawn a!$ost as shar#!y as between ryan an s!a*e.3

2ootnote N? Co$#are 5B. iii. AA' an in I. 1A1. ' the wors? &o Inra' thou ist he!# thysu##!iants< one ri*er a"ter another they gaine who #ursue g!ory.3

2ootnote 8? Tho$as'!ivers of the edas(@5S. *. AN "".< Qi$$er' !oc. cit. ca#. 1).3

2ootnote 9? Later ca!!e the Canrabh2Ga3ga. or the @u$na an Sarayu see be!ow.3

2ootnote 1? This is the error into which "a!!s 4runnho"er' whose theory that the Beic ryans were sti!! sett!e near the Cas#ian has been criticise abo*e (#. 1).3

2ootnote 11? Co$#are &eiger' *stiranische 'ultur' #. 81. See a!so -uir' ST. ii. #. A.3

2ootnote 1H? Lassen' I. #. 616' ecie in "a*or o" the western #asses o" the %inu7ush.3

2ootnote 1A? ro$ Janahar in "ghanistan to a #oint a !itt!e west o" Lahore. In the "or$eristrict' accoring to the *esta' the ea are burie (an ear!y Inian custo$' not Iranian).3

2ootnote 1O? &eiger ienti"ies the Bita2Gg3uhaiti or Bitangh*ati with the us' but this isi$#robab!e. It !ies in the etre$e east an "or$s the bounary between the true be!ie*ers an thee$on=worshi##ers (asht' ' NN< &eiger' loc. cit.#. 1A1' note ). The Persian na$e is the sa$ewith Bitast2Ga3' which is !ocate in the Pun+2Ga3b.3

2ootnote 1? n the Jurus co$#are Qi$$er (!oc. cit.)' who thin7s Jash$eer is $eant' an &eiger'

!oc. cit. #. A9. ther geogra#hica! re$iniscences $ay !ie in Beic an 4rah$anic a!!usions to4actria' 4a!7h (B.)< to the Derbi7er (aroun -eru 5B.)' an to -anus $ountain' whence heescene a"ter the "!oo (Kaubanhana)? ?ataatha $r45a6hmana' I. 8. 1' 6' -anus escent.3

2ootnote 16?Arch. Survey' i*. #. 89< Tho$as' !oc. cit. #. A6A.3

2ootnote 1N? 5B. . 1A6. .3

2ootnote 18? 5B. iii. AA. H.3

2ootnote 19? 5B. *ii. 9. H. %ere the Saras*at2Gi3 can be on!y the Inus.3

2ootnote H? Pa2Gn3ca=naa' Pun+nu' Persian Pun+2Ga3b' the "i*e strea$s' Bitas2Ga3' si7n2Gi3'Ir2Ga3*at2Gi3' Bi#2Ga3Z' Wutur2Gi3. The Pun+nu #oint is s!ow!y $o*ing u# strea$< Byse' @5S. .

AHA. The Sarayu $ay be the %er2Gi3r2Gu3' &eiger' !oc. cit. #. NH.32ootnote H1? -uir' ST. ii. A1< Qi$$er' !oc. cit. #. 1 ienti"ies the@45i6&ataso" 5B. iii. A. 1O


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with the inhabitants o" Korthern 4eh2Ga3r. -arustha!a is ca!!e si$#!y the esert.3

2ootnote HH? The ear!ier =yas' Latin aes' $eans brone not iron' as Qi$$er has shown' !oc. cit. #.1. Pische!' edische Studien' I' shows that e!e#hants are $entione $ore o"ten than was su##ose(but rare!y in "a$i!y=boo7s).3

2ootnote HA? Meber'Indische Studien0I. #. HH8vins< -uir' ST. *. #.HAO< 4ergaigne'!eligion -diue0II. #.OA1< -!!er'Lectures' H series' #. 8< Meber'Ind. St. *. #. HAO. S2Ga3yana on I. 18. H' inter#retsthe sister o" the Z*ins as Dawn.3

2ootnote 1A? -uir' loc. cit. Meber regars the$ as the (stars) &e$ini.3

2ootnote 1O? Meber' howe*er' thin7s that Dawn an Z*ins are e;ua!!y o! i*inities' the o!est%inu i*inities in his esti$ation.3

2ootnote 1? In the E#ic (see be!ow) they are ca!!e the !owest caste o" gos (W2Gu3ras).3

2ootnote 16? X. 1N. H< I. O6. H.3

2ootnote 1N? I. 181. O (5oth' QD-&. IB. OH).3

2ootnote 18? T2Ga3itt. S. BII. H. N. H< -uir' loc. cit. #. HA.3

2ootnote 19? *ii. 6N. H< *iii. . H< . A9. 1H< *iii. 9. 1N< i. AO. 1< . 61. O. -uir' loc. cit.HA8=9.


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Co$#are ib. HAO' H6.3

2ootnote 11? -uir' loc. cit. #. HAN. 5B. *i. 8. O< . 8. 9"".3

2ootnote 111? They are co$#are to two shi#s' two birs' etc.3

2ootnote 11H? In ?at. $r. B. . O. it to the Z*ins a re=white goat is sacri"ice' because Z*ins arere=white.3

2ootnote 11A? Perha#s best with 4rannho"er' the sa*ers "ro$ nasas in nas9an(&. #. 99).3

2ootnote 11O?La !eligion -diue' II. #. OAO. That n45a6snya$eans with goo noses is an e#icnotion' n45a6satyadasr45a6u sunas45a6u0-bh2Ga3. I. A. 8' an "or this reason' i" "or no other(though iea is o!er)' the ety$o!ogy is #robab!y "a!seV The e#ithet is a!so Iranian. Twinne anes#ecia!!y #aire gos are characteristic o" the 5ig Bea. Thus a$a an a$2Gi3 are twins< an o"

#airs Inra=gni' Inra=B2Ga3yu' besies the o!er -itra=Baruna' %ea*en=Earth' are co$$on.3

2ootnote 11? Perha#s to be o$itte.3

2ootnote 116?Pischel' Be. St. I. #. O8. s swi"t=going gos they are ca!!e Inra=!i7e.32ootnote 11N? BIII. 9 an 1.3

2ootnote 118? Doubt"u!3

2ootnote 119? The !ast *erse is not #ecu!iar to this hy$n' but is the sign o" the boo7 ("a$i!y) inwhich it was co$#ose.3

> > > > >

CHAPTER IV.

THE RIG VEDA 'CONTINUED(.%THE MIDDLE GODS.

n!y one o" the great at$os#heric eities' the gos that #reF$inent!y go*ern the $i!e s#herebetween s7y an earth' can c!ai$ an ryan !ineage. ne o" the $inor gos o" the sa$e s#here' theancient rain=go' a!so has this anti;ue ignity' but in his case the ignity a!reay is i$#aire by thestrength o" a new an greater ri*a!. In the case o" the win=go' on the other han' there is #reser*ea eity who was one o" the #ri$iti*e #antheon' be!onging' #erha#s' not on!y to the Iranians' but tothe Teutons' "or B2Ga3ta' Min' $ay be the Scanina*ian Moen. The !ater $ytho!ogists on Iniansoi! $a7e a istinction between B2Ga3ta' win' an B2Ga3yu ("ro$ the sa$e root< as in &er$anEehen) an in this istinction one isco*ers that the o! B2Ga3ta' who $ust ha*e been once the

win=go' is now reuce to #hysica! (though sentient) win' whi!e the newer na$e re#resents thehigher sie o" win as a #ower !ying bac7 o" #heno$ena< an it is this !atter conce#tion a!one that isuti!ie in the "or$ation o" the Beic tria o" win' "ire' an sun. In short' in the use an a##!icationo" the two na$es' there is an eact #ara!!e! to the oub!e ter$ino!ogy e$#!oye to esignate the sunas S2Gu3rya an Sa*itar. @ust as S2Gu3rya is the o!er 2&ree7? h\!ios3 an so! (ac7now!ege as ago' yet #a!#ab!y the #hysica! re boy in the s7y) contraste with the inter#retation which' by anewer na$e (Sa*itar)' see7s to i""erentiate the (sentient) #hysica! "ro$ the s#iritua!' so is B2Ga3ta'Moen' re#!ace an !owere by the !o"tier conce#tion o" B2Ga3yu. 4ut' again' +ust as' when theconce#tion o" Sa*itar is "or$e' the s#iritua!iing tenency re*erts to S2Gu3rya' an $a7es o" hi$'too' a "igure rec!othe in the $ore $oern garb o" s#eech' which is in*ente "or Sa*itar a!one< sothe retroacti*e theoso#hic "ancy' a"ter creating B2Ga3yu as a i*ine #ower uner!ying #heno$ena!

B2Ga3ta' rein*ests B2Ga3ta a!so with the gar$ents o" B2Ga3yu. Thus' "ina!!y' the two' who are theresu!t o" inte!!ectua! i""erentiation' are again unite "ro$ a new #oint o" *iew' an S2Gu3rya orSa*itar' B2Ga3yu or B2Ga3ta' are ini""erent!y use to e#ress res#ecti*e!y the who!e co$#!ete


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inter#retation o" the i*inity' which is now *isib!e an in*isib!e' sun an sun=go' win an win=go. In these #airs there is' as it were' a #ers#ecti*e o" %inu theoso#hy' an one can trace the go'as a s#iritua! entity inc!uing the #hysica!' bac7 to the #hysica! #rototy#e that once was worshi##eas such a!one.

In the 5ig Bea there are three co$#!ete hy$ns to Min' none o" these being in the "a$i!y boo7s. In. 186' the #oet ca!!s on Min to bring hea!th to the worshi##er' an to #ro!ong his !i"e. %earesses Min as "ather an brother an "rien' as7ing the #ower that b!ows to bring hi$a$brosia' o" which Min has a store. These are rather #retty *erses without s#ecia! theo!ogica!intent' aresse $ore to Min as such than to a s#iritua! #ower. The other hy$n "ro$ the sa$e

boo7 is irecte to B2Ga3ta a!so' not to B2Ga3yu' an though it is !o"tier in tone an e*en s#ea7s o"B2Ga3ta as the sou! o" the gos' yet is it e*ient that no consistent $ytho!ogy has wor7e u#on the

#ure!y #oetic #hraseo!ogy' which is occu#ie $ere!y with escribing the rushing o" a $ighty win(. 168). Ke*erthe!ess' B2Ga3ta is worshi##e' as is B2Ga3yu' with ob!ations.

%-K T MIKD (B2Ga3ta).

Kow B2Ga3tas chariots greatnessV 4rea7ing goes it' n thunering is its noise< to hea*en it touches' &oes oer the earth' c!ou213 $a7ing' ust u#=rearing< Then rush together a!! the "or$s o" B2Ga3ta< To hi$ they co$e as wo$en to a $eeting. Mith the$ con+oint' on the sa$e chariot going' Is born the go' the 7ing o" a!! creation. Keer s!ee#eth he when' on his #athway wanering' %e goes through air. The "rien is he o" waters< irst=born an ho!y'/where was he create' n whence arose he S#irit o" gos is B2Ga3ta' Source o" creation' goeth where he !isteth > > > >

CHAPTER V.

THE RIG VEDA 'CONTINUED(.%THE LOWER GODS.

AGNI.

&reat are the hea*en!y gos' but greater is Inra' go o" the at$os#here. &reatest are gni anSo$a' the gos o" earth.

gni is the a!tar="ire. rigina!!y "ire' gni' in istinction "ro$ sun an !ightning' is the "ire o"sacri"ice< an as such is he great. ne reas in *. A. 1=H' that this gni is Baruna' Inra< that in hi$are a!! the gos. This is' inee' "or$a!!y a !ate *iew' an can be #ara!!e!e on!y by a "ew #assageso" a co$#arati*e!y recent #erio. Thus' in the !ate hy$n i. 16O. O6? Inra' -itra' Baruna' gni'they say< he is the sun (the bir in the s7y)< that which is but one they ca!! *arious!y' etc. So . 11O. an the !ate #assage iii. A8. N' ha*e re"erence to *arious "or$s o" gni.

Inra ha a two"o! nature in #roucing the union o" !ightning an gni< an this $ae hi$$ysterious!y great. 4ut in gni is "oun the "irst tria!ity' which' #hi!oso#hica!!y' is inter#rete as a

trinity. The "ire o" the a!tar is one with the !ightning' an' again' one with the sun. This is gnisthree"o! birth< an a!! the ho!y character o" three is ehauste in a##!ication where he is concerne.It is the highest $ystery unti! the *ery en o" the Beic age. This gni it is that is the rea! gni o"the 5ig Bea/the new gni< "or there was #robab!y an gni cu!t (as si$#!e "ire) !ong be"ore the

somacu!t. Inra an gni are one' an both are ca!!e the s!ayers o" the e$ons213. They are bothunite as an inisso!ub!e #air (iii. 1H' etc.). gni' with' #erha#s' the ece#tion o" So$a' is the $osti$#ortant go in the 5ig Bea< an it is no chance that gi*es hi$ the "irst #!ace in each "a$i!yhy$n=boo7< "or in hi$ are "oun' on!y in $ore "ortunate circu$stances' eact!y the sa$e conitionsas obtain in the case o" Inra. %e a##ea!e to $an as the best "rien a$ong i*ine beings< he wasnot "ar o""' to be wonere at< i" terrib!e' to be #ro#itiate. %e was near an 7in to "riens. n ashe see$e to the *u!gar so he a##ea!e to the theoso#hy which #er$eates the s#irit o" the #oets< "or

he is $ysterious< a $eiator between go an $an (in carrying to hea*en the o""erings)< a three"o!unity' ty#ica! o" earth' at$os#here' an hea*en. ro$ this #oint o" *iew' as in the case o" Inra' soin the case o" gni' on!y to a greater etent' it beco$es i$#ossib!e to inter#ret gni as one e!e$ent'


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one #heno$enon. There is' when a istinction is $ae' an agniwhich is sing!e' the a!tar="ire'se#arate "ro$ other "ires< but it is se!o$ that gni is not "e!t as the three"o! one.

n now "or the inter#retation o" the $oern ritua!ists. The %inu ritua! ha the three "ires' whiche*ery orthoo be!ie*er was taught to 7ee# u#. The !ater !iterature o" the %inus the$se!*es *erycorrect!y too7 these three "ires as ty#es o" the three "or$s o" gni 7nown in the 5ig Bea. 4ut to theritua!ists the historica! #receence is in*erte' an they wou! show that the who!e Beic$ytho!ogica! *iew o" an gni tria is the resu!t o" ienti"ying gni with the three "ires o" the ritua!.ro$ this crass $etho o" inter#retation it wou! resu!t that a!! Beic $ytho!ogy was the chi! o"the !iturgy2H3.

s earth!y "ire gni is "irst ignis?2A3 Dri*en by the win' he hastens through the "orest with roaringtongues. b!ac7 is thy #ath' bright i$$orta!V %e $ows own' as no her can o' the green"ie!s< bright his tooth' an go!en his bear. %e e*ours !i7e a steer that one has tie u#. This isco$$on "ire' i*ine' but not o" the a!tar. The !atter gni is o" e*ery hy$n. or instance' the "irststana o" the 5ig Bea? gni' the "a$i!y #riest' I worshi#< the i*ine #riest o" sacri"ice< theob!ation #riest' who bestows riches' where he is in*o7e uner the na$es o" i""erent #riests. 4utgni is e*en $ore than this< he is the "ire (heat) that causes #rouction an re#rouction' *isib!y

$ani"est in the sun. This ua! gni' it is to be notice' is at ti$es the on!y gni recognie. Thethir "or$ is then ae' !ightning' an therewith gni is begotten o" Inra' an is' there"ore' onewith Inra? There is on!y one "ire !ighte in $any #!aces (B2Ga3!. 1. H). s a #oetica! e#ression'gni in the !ast "or$ is the Son o" Maters' an e#ithet not without signi"icance in #hi!oso#hica!s#ecu!ation< "or water' through a!! #erios' was regare as the $ateria! origin o" the uni*erse.

gni is one with the sun' with !ightning (an thuner)' an escens into the #!ants.2O3 To $an he ishouse=#riest an "rien. It is he that has grou#e $en in we!!ing=#!aces (iii. 1. 1N) !i7ePro$etheus' in whose ia!ectic na$e' Pro$antheus' !ingers sti!! the "ire=creator' the twir!ing (math)stic7s which $a7e "ire in the woo. %e is $ans guest an best "rien (-itra' i*. 1. 9< abo*e).

n hy$n or two entire wi!! show what was gni to the Beic #oet. In the "o!!owing' the 5ig Beas

"irst hy$n' he is aresse' in the o#ening stana' uner the na$es o" house=#riest' the chie"sacri"icia! #riest' an the #riest that #ours ob!ations. In the secon stana he is eto!!e as the$essenger who brings the gos to the sacri"ice' hi$se!" rising u# in sacri"icia! "!a$es' an "or$inga !in7 between earth an hea*en. In a !ater stana he is ca!!e the -essenger (ngiras G2&ree7?agge!os3)'/one o" his orinary tit!es?

To &KI (i. 1).

I worshi# gni< house=#riest' he' n #riest i*ine o" sacri"ice' Th ob!ation #riest' who gi*eth wea!th.

gni' by seers o" o! aore' To be aore by those to=ay/ -ay he the gos bring here to us.

Through gni can one wea!th ac;uire' Pros#erity "ro$ ay to ay' n "a$e o" heroes ece!!ent.

' gniV whatsoeer the rite That thou surrounst on e*ery sie' That sacri"ice attains the gos.

-ay gni' who ob!ation gi*es/

The wisest' true' $ost "a$ous #riest/ This go with (a!!) the gos a##roach I

Thou oest goo to e*ery $an


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That ser*es thee' gni< e*en this Is thy true *irtue' ngiras.

To thee' gni' ay by ay' Do we with #rayer at e*e an awn' Co$e' bringing !ow!y re*erence

somaro##ing that is co$#are with roaring. The strength gi*en by (hi$) the rin7' $a7es hi$a##ear as the *iri!e one' o" which "orce is the acti*ity' an the bu!! the ty#e. &i*en' there"ore' thei$age o" the bu!!' the rest "o!!ows easi!y to e!aborate the $eta#hor. I" one a thatsomais !u$inous(ye!!ow)' an that a!! !u$inous i*inities are horne bu!!s2HA3' then it wi!! be unnecessary to see

the crescent $oon insoma. -oreo*er' i"somabe the sa$e with 4rihas#ati' as thin7s %i!!ebrant'why are there three horns in B. OA. 1A gain' that the e#ression shar#ening his horns oes notre"er necessari!y to the $oon $ay be conc!ue "ro$ . 86. 1' where it is state e#ress!y that thedrin&is a shar#=horne steer? Li7e a shar#=horne steer is thy brewe rin7' Inra' #robab!yre"erring to the taste. The sun' gni' an Inra are a!!' to the Beic #oet' shar#=horne steers2HO3'an thesoma#!ant' being !u$inous an strong (bu!!=!i7e)' gets the sa$e e#ithet.

The ientity is rather with Inra than with the $oon' i" one be content to gi*e u# bri!!iant theoriing'an si$#!y "o!!ow the #oets? The one that #uri"ies hi$se!" yo7e the suns swi"t stee o*er $anthat he $ight go through the at$os#here' an these ten stees o" the sun he yo7e to go' sayingInra is the ro# (Indu). Mhen ha e*er the $oon the #ower to start the sun Mhat #art in the

#antheon is #!aye by the $oon when it is ca!!e by its natura! na$e (not by the #riest!y na$e'soma) Is m45a6sor candramas($oon) a #ower o" strength' a great go The wors scarce!yoccur' ece#t in !ate hy$ns' an the $oon' by his own "o!7=na$e' is har!y #raise ece#t in$echanica! con+unction with the sun. The "!oos o" whichsomais !or are e#!aine in IX. 86. HO=H? The haw7 (or eag!e) brought thee "ro$ the s7y' ro# (Indu2H3)' se*en $i!7=strea$s singto the ye!!ow one as he #uri"ies hi$se!" with the wa*e in the sie*e o" shee#s woo!. The acti*estrong ones ha*e sent "orth the wise seer in the !a# o" the waters. I" one wishes to c!ear his $in inres#ect o" what the %inu attributes to the i*ine rin7 (e#ress!y rin7' an not $oon)' !et hi$rea IX. 1O' where he wi!! "in that the twice #ower"u! go=re+oicing intoicating rin7 "insgoos' "ins a #ath "or his "riens' #uts away e*ery har$"u! s#irit an e*ery e*ouring s#irit' a*ertsthe "a!se go!ess one an a!! o##ression< an rea a!so i. H1. I=O? Thesesoma=ro#s "or Inra "!owre+oicing' $aening' !ight=(or hea*en=) "ining' a*erting attac7ers' "ining esirab!e things "or the

#resser' $a7ing !i"e "or the singer. Li7e wa*es the ro#s "!ow into one *esse!' #!aying as they wi!!.Thesesoma=ro#s' !et out !i7e stees (attache) to a car' as they #uri"y the$se!*es' attain a!!esirab!e things. ccoring to IX. 9N. O1YH an ib.AN. O (an other !i7e #assages' too !ight!ye#!aine' #. A8N' by %i!!ebrant)' it issomathat #rouce the !ight in the sun an $a7es the sunrise' state$ents inco$#atib!e with the (!unar) So$as "unctions' but ;uite in accorance with the$agic #ower which the #oets attribute to the i*ine rin7. So$a is 7ing o*er treasure. So$a is

brought by the eag!e that a!! $ay see !ight (IX. O8. A=O). %e tra*erses the s7y' an guars orer/but not necessari!y is he here the $oon' "orsoma' the rin7' as a ga!!o#ing stee' a bri!!iantsteer' a strea$ o" #ressesoma' a ear sweet' a he!#er o" gos' is here #oure "orth< a"ter hi$"!ow great water="!oos< an he #uri"ies hi$se!" in the sie*e' he the su##orter' ho!er o" the s7y > > >

FOOTNOTES$

2ootnote 1? Co$#are T2Ga3itt. S. BII. O.H.1. The gos win i$$orta!ity by $eans o" sacri"ice in

this !ater #riest=rien #erio.3 2ootnote H? Luwig (IB. #. 1AO) wrong!y unerstans a he!! here.3


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2ootnote A? a$as seat is here what it is in the e#ic' not a cha#e! (Pische!)' but a ho$e.3

2ootnote O? This $ay $ean to a$a (an) to eath. In the thar*a Bea' B. HO. 1A=1O' it is sai that Death is the !or o" $en< a$a' o" the -anes.3

2ootnote ? It is here sai' a!so' that the &anhar*a in the waters an the water=wo$an are the tieso" consanguinity between a$a an a$2Gi3' which $eans' a##arent!y' that their #arents were-oon an Mater< a !ate iea' as in *iii. O8. 1A (uni;ue).3

2ootnote 6? The #assage' X. 1N' 1=H' is #erha#s $eant as a ri!e' as 4!oo$"ie! suggests (@S.XB. #. 1NH). t any rate' it is sti!! a ubious #assage. Co$#are %i!!ebrant' edische 7ythologie' I.

#. A.3

2ootnote N? Cite by Scher$an' isionslitteratur' #. 1ON.3

2ootnote 8? Possib!y' strea$s.3

2ootnote 9? B. XBIII. A. 1A.3

2ootnote 1? Co$#are B. BI. 88. H? Jing Baruna an &o 4rihas#ati' where both are gos.3

2ootnote 11? 2&ree7? Jerberos3(GWaba!a)G?45a6rvara. Sara$2Ga3 is stor$ or awn' or so$ething e!se that $eans runner.3

2ootnote 1H? %ere the "ien is e#e!!e by a "our=eye og or a white one which has ye!!ow ears. See the Sacred $oo&s of the ,ast' IB. #. IXXXBII.3

2ootnote 1A? Scher$an #ro#oses an easy so!ution' na$e!y to

cut the escri#tion in two' an $a7e on!y #art o" it re"er to the ogsV (loc. cit. #. 1A).3

2ootnote 1O? The ogs $ay be $eant in I. H9. A' but co$#are II. A1. . Doubt"u! is I. 66. 8' accoring to 4ergaigne' a##!ie to a$a as "ire.3

2ootnote 1?India' #. HHO.3

2ootnote 1N? 4arth' #. HA' cites I. 1HA. 6< X. 1N. H< 8H. H' to #ro*e that stars are sou!s o" ea $en.These #assages o not #ro*e the #oint' but it $ay be in"erre "ro$ X. 68. 11. Later on it is arecei*e be!ie". $oon=hea*en is "oun on!y in BIII. O8.3

2ootnote 18? Es#ecia!!y with $ir in Scanina*ian $ytho!ogy.32ootnote 19? isionslitteratur' 189H.3

2ootnote H?#enotheism in the !ig eda' #. 81.3

2ootnote H1? This re!igious #hase is o"ten con"oune !oose!y with #antheis$' but the istinctionshou! be obser*e. Par7$an s#ea7s o" ($erican) Inian #antheis$< an 4arth s#ea7s o"ritua!istic #antheis$' $eaning thereby the ei"ication o" i""erent ob+ects use in sacri"ice (#. AN'note). 4ut chre$atheis$ is as istinct "ro$ #antheis$ as it is "ro$ "etishis$.3

2ootnote HH? So$e see$ to be o!< thus ra$ati' #iety' has an Iranian re#resentati*e'2G3r$a2Gi3t2Gi3. s $ascu!ine abstractions are to be ae nger' Death' etc.3

2ootnote HA? Co$#are i*. < ii. HA an HO< *. OA. 1H< . 68. 9< ii. H6. A< HA. 1N< . 9N. 1. orinter#retation co$#are %i!!ebrant' ed. 7yth.i. O9=OH< 4ergaigne'La !el0 Gd.i. AO< -uir'ST' *. HNH "". (with #re*ious !iterature).3


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2ootnote HO?7bh45a6.i. NO. 68. Co$#are %o!t$ann' QD-&. iii. 6A1 "".3

2ootnote H? i. 89. 1? iti is a!! the gos an $en< iti is whate*er has been born< iti is whate*er wi!! be born.3

2ootnote H6?#enotheism in the !ig eda(Dris!er

-e$oria!).32ootnote HN? E. *. 11< *iii. 11.3

2ootnote H8? 5B. . 11O. < i. 16O. O6< B. i*. 16. A.3

2ootnote H9? 4!oo$"ie!' @S. *. 18O.3

2ootnote A? Desire' the #ri$a! see o" $in' . 1H9. O.3

2ootnote A1? . NH (contains a!so the origin o" the gos "ro$ iti).3

2ootnote AH? . 9' %ere chand45a64.m6si' car$ina' is

#robab!y the thar*an.3 2ootnote AA? 5uras' Basus' an 2G3ityas' the three "a$ous grou#s o" gos. The Basus are in Inras train' the shining' or' #erha#s' goo gos.3

2ootnote AO? ii. AA. 1A< . 1. ' etc. I" the iea o" $anusGbonus be re+ecte' the Latin manes$aybe re"erre to m45a6navas' the chi!ren o" -anu.3

2ootnote A? r? in an earth!y #!ace' in the at$os#here' or' etc.3

2ootnote A6? That is where the athers !i*e. This is the on!y #!ace where the athers are sai to ben=45a6t(escenants) o" Bishnu' an here the sense $ay be I ha*e isco*ereH=45a6t("ire)

4ut in i. 1O. Bishnus worshi##ers re+oice in his ho$e.32ootnote AN? r? "or$ as thou wi!t this boy (o" a cor#se) to s#irit !i"e.3

2ootnote A8? . 6. O< otherwise' &rass$ann.3

2ootnote A9? *i. NA. 9 re"ers to ancestors on earth' not in hea*en.3

2ootnote O? Co$#are -uir' ST. *. H8' where i. 1H. is co$#are with . 1N. H? The gi"t=gi*er beco$es i$$orta!< the gi"t=gi*er !i*es in the s7y< he that gi*es horses !i*es in the sun.Co$#are Qi$$er'Altind. Leben#. O9< &eiger' *stiran. 'ultur' #. H9.3

2ootnote O1? . 88. 1' wor "or wor? two #aths hear o" the athers I' o" the gos an o"$orta!s. Cite as a $ystery' 4rih. 2G3ran. ,#. *i. H. H.3

2ootnote OH? . 16. A? i" thou wi!t go to the waters or to the #!ants' is ae a"ter this (inaressing the sou! o" the ea $an). P!ant=sou!s occur again in . 8. N.3

2ootnote OA? B. XBIII.O.6O< -uir' *. loc. cit.#. H98. #assage o" the thar*an suggests that theea $ay ha*e been e#ose as in Iran' but there is no trace o" this in the 5ig Bea (Qi$$er' loc.cit.#. OH).3

2ootnote OO? 4arth' edic !eligions' #. HA< ib.' the narrow house o" c!ay' 5B. BII. 89. 1.3

2ootnote O? I. HO. 1< I. 1H.6< BII. 6.HO< cite by -!!er' 'his' I. #. O.3

2ootnote O6? IX. 11A. N "".3

2ootnote ON?Avar45o6dhana4.m6 div=s' enc!osure o" the


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s7y.3

2ootnote O8? Litera!!y' where custo$ (obtains)' i.e.' where the o! usages sti!! ho!.3

2ootnote O9? The !ast wors are to be unerstoo as o" sensua! #!easures (-uir' loc. cit.#. AN'notes O6H' O6A).3

2ootnote ? 5B. II. H9. 6< BII. 1O. A' 1N< IB. . < IX. NA. 8. Co$#are -u!r' loc. cit. ##. A11=A1H > > > >

CHAPTER VII.

THE RELIGION OF THE ATHARVA VEDA.

The hy$ns o" the 5ig Bea inetricab!y con"use< the eities o" an ear!ier era con"oune' anagain $erge together in a #antheis$ now co$#!ete< the introuction o" strange gos< recognitiono" a he!! o" torture< instea o" $any i*inities the ne that re#resents a!! the gos' an nature aswe!!< incantations "or e*i! #ur#oses an char$s "or a worthy #ur#ose< "or$u!ae o" $a!eiction to be

irecte against those who$ I hate an who hate $e< $agica! *erses to obtain chi!ren' to #ro!ong!i"e' to is#e! e*i! $agic' to guar against #oison an other i!!s< the #ara!ying etre$e o" ritua!isticre*erence inicate by the ea!tation to gohea o" the re$nant o" sacri"ice< hy$ns to sna7es' toiseases' to s!ee#' ti$e' an the stars< curses on the #riest=#!aguer/such' in genera! out!ine' is thei$#ression #rouce by a #erusa! o" the thar*an a"ter that o" the 5ig Bea. %ow $uch o" this isnew

The 5ig Bea is not !ac7ing in incantations' in witchcra"t #ractices' in hy$ns to inani$ate things' ininications o" #antheis$. 4ut the genera! i$#ression is #rouce' both by the tone o" such hy$ns asthese an by their #!ace in the co!!ection' that they are an aition to the origina! wor7. n the otherhan' in reaing the thar*an hy$ns the co!!ecti*e i$#ression is ecie!y this' that what to the 5igis a*entitious is essentia! to the thar*an.

It has o"ten been #ointe out' howe*er' that not on!y the #ractices in*o!*e' but the hy$nsthe$se!*es' in the thar*an' $ay ha*e eiste !ong be"ore they were co!!ecte' an that' whi!e the


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thar*an co!!ection' as a who!e' ta7es historica! #!ace a"ter the 5ig Bea' there yet $ay beco$#rise in the "or$er $uch which is as o! as any #art o" the !atter wor7. It is a!so custo$ary toassu$e that such hy$ns as beto7en a !ower worshi# (incantations' $agica! "or$u!ae' etc.) wereo$itte #ur#ose!y "ro$ the 5ig Bea to be co!!ecte in the thar*an. That which e*entua!!y canneither be #ro*e nor is#ro*e is' #erha#s' best !e"t uniscusse' an it is *ain to see7 scienti"ic

#roo" where on!y historic #robabi!ities are obtainab!e. et' i" a c!oser a##roach to truth be attracti*e'

e*en a greater #robabi!ity wi!! be a gain' an it beco$es worth whi!e to consier the #rob!e$ a !itt!ewith on!y this ho#e in *iew.

Those #ortions o" the 5ig Bea which see$ to be thar*an=!i7e are' in genera!' to be "oun in the!ater boo7s (or #!aces) o" the co!!ection. 4ut it wou! be #resu$#tuous to conc!ue that a wor7'a!though a!$ost entire!y gi*en u# to what in the 5ig Bea a##ears to be !ate' shou! itse!" be !ate inorigin. 4y ana!ogy' in a nature=re!igion such as was that o" Inia' the #ractice o" e$ono!ogy'witchcra"t' etc.' $ust ha*e been an ear!y "actor. 4ut' whi!e this is true' it is c!ear!y i$#ossib!e to

#ostu!ate there"ro$ that the hy$ns recoring a!! this array o" cursing' e*i!try' an witchcra"t arethe$se!*es ear!y. The "urther "orwar one a*ances into the !abyrinth o" %inu re!igions the $oresu#erstitions' the $ore e*i!s' e$ons' $agic' witchcra"t' an uncanny things genera!!y' oes he

"in. %ence' whi!e any one su#erstitious #ractice $ay be anti;ue' there is s$a!! #robabi!ity "orassu$ing a conte$#oraneous origin o" the hy$ns o" the two co!!ections. The $any *erses cite'a##arent!y #e!!=$e!!' "ro$ the 5ig Bea' $ight' it is true' re*ert to a *ersion o!er than that in whichthey are "oun in the 5ig Bea' but there is nothing to show that they were not ta7en "ro$ the 5igBea' an re=resse in a "or$ that renere the$ in $any cases $ore inte!!igib!e< so that o"tenwhat is res#ect"u!!y s#o7en o" as a better *arie reaing o" the thar*an $ay be better' as we ha*esai in the introuctory cha#ter' on!y in !uciity< an the !uciity be ue to ta$#ering with a tet o!an uninte!!igib!e. C!assica! ea$#!es aboun in i!!ustrations.

Ke*erthe!ess' a!though an anti;uity e;ua! to that o" the who!e 5ig Bea can by no $eans be c!ai$e"or the thar*an co!!ection (which' at !east in its tone' be!ongs to the 4rah$anic #erio)' yet is the$ass re#resente by the !atter' i" not conte$#oraneous' at any rate so *enerab!e' that it sa"e!y $ay

be assigne to a #erio as o! as that in which were co$#ose the !ater hy$ns o" the 5i7 itse!". 4utin istinction "ro$ the hy$ns the$se!*es the weir re!igion they re#resent is oubt!ess as o!' i" noto!er' than that o" the 5ig Bea. or' whi!e the 5ig Beic so$a=cu!t is Ino=Iranian' the origina!thar*an ("ire) cu!t is e*en $ore #ri$iti*e' an the basis o" the wor7' "ro$ this #oint o" *iew' $ayha*e #recee the co$#osition o" 5i7 hy$ns. This thar*an re!igion/i" it $ay be ca!!e so/is'there"ore' o" eceeing i$#ortance. It o#ens wie the oor which the 5i7 #uts a+ar' an shows awor! o" re!igious an $ystica! ieas which without it cou! scarce!y ha*e been sus#ecte. %ere$agic ec!i#ses So$a an reigns su#re$e. The wiar is greater than the gos< his herbs an a$u!etsare so*ereign re$eies. 5e!igion is seen on its !owest sie. It is true that there is ba $agic angoo $agic (the eistence o" the "or$er is substantiate by the $a!eictions against it)' but whathas been recei*e into the co!!ection is a##arent!y the best. To hea! the sic7 an #rocure esirab!ethings is the ob+ect o" $ost o" the char$s an incantations/but so$e o" the esirab!e things areisease an eath o" ones "oes. n the higher sie o" re!igion' "ro$ a $eta#hysica! #oint o" *iew'the thar*an is #antheistic. It 7nows a!so the i$#ortance o" the breaths'213 the *ita! "orces< it #utssie by sie the i""erent gos an says that each is !or. It oes not !ac7 #hi!oso#hica! s#ecu!ationwhich' a!though $ost o" it is #ueri!e' so$eti$es raises ;uestions o" wier sco#e' as when the sagein;uires who $ae the boy with its woner"u! #arts/i$#!ying' but not stating the argu$ent' "ro$esign' in its o!est "or$.2H3

" $agica! *erses there are $any' but the content is se!o$ $ore than o thou' #!ant' #reser*e"ro$ har$' etc. %ar$!ess enough' i" so$ewhat wea7' are a!so $any other hy$ns ca!cu!ate to

#rocure b!essings?

4!essings b!ow to us the win' 4!essings g!ow to us the sun' 4!essings be to us the ay'


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4!est to us the night a##ear' 4!est to us the awn sha!! shine'

is a "air s#eci$en o" this innocuous sort o" *erse.2A3 nother ea$#!e $ay be seen in this hy$n to a7ing? ir$ is the s7y< "ir$ is the earth< "ir$' a!! creation< "ir$' these hi!!s< "ir$ the 7ing o" the

#eo#!e (sha!! be)' etc.2O3 In another hy$n there is an incantation to re!ease "ro$ #ossib!e i!!co$ing "ro$ a "oe an "ro$ inherite i!! or sin.23 "ree s#irit o" oubt an atheis$' a!reay"oreshaowe in the 5ig Bea' is i$#!ie in the #rayer that the go wi!! be $erci"u! to the catt!e o"that $an whose cree is &os eist.263 Ser#ent=worshi# is not on!y 7nown' but #re*a!ent.2N3 Theo! gos sti!! ho!' as a!ways' their no$ina! #!aces' a!beit the syste$ is #antheistic' so that Baruna isgo o" waters< an -itra with Baruna' gos o" rain.283 s a starting=#oint o" #hi!oso#hy the ictu$o" the 5ig Bea is re#eate? Desire is the see o" $in' an !o*e' i.e.' esire' was born "irst. %ereiti is e"ine anew as the one in whose !a# is the wie at$os#here/ she is #arent an chi!' gosan $en' a!! in a!!/$ay she eten to us a tri#!e she!ter. s an ea$#!e o" curse against curse $ay

be co$#are II. N?

The sin=hate' go=born #!ant' that "rees "ro$ the curse as waters (wash out) the s#ot' has washeaway a!! curses' the curse o" $y ri*a! an o" $y sister< (that) which the 4rah$an in anger curse'

a!! this !ies uner $y "eet Mith this #!ant #rotect this (wi"e)' #rotect $y chi!' #rotect our#ro#erty -ay the curse return to the curser Me s$ite e*en the ribs o" the "oe with the e*i!(mantra) eye.

!o*e=char$ in the sa$e boo7 (II. A) wi!! re$in the c!assica! stuent o" Theocritus secon iy!?s the win twir!s aroun grass u#on the groun' so I twir! thy $in about' that thou $ayst beco$e!o*ing' that thou $ayst not e#art "ro$ $e' etc. In the "o!!owing *erses the %orse$en gos arein*o7e to unite the !o*ers. Characteristic a$ong buco!ic #assages is the cow=song in II. H6' thewho!e intent o" which is to ensure a sa"e return to the cows on their wanerings? %ither $ay theyco$e' the catt!e that ha*e wanere "ar away' etc.

The *iew that there are i""erent conitions o" -anes is c!ear!y taught in XBIII. H. O8=O9' where it

is sai that there are three hea*ens' in the highest o" which resie the -anes< whi!e a istinction is$ae at the sa$e ti$e between "athers an gran"athers' the "athers "athers' who ha*e entereair' who inhabit earth an hea*en. %ere a##ears nascent the octrine o" e!e*ating the athers'which is e#ress!y taught in the net era. The #er"or$ance o" rites in honor o" the -anes causesthe$ to ascen "ro$ a !ow state to a higher one. In "act' i" the o""erings are not gi*en at a!!' thes#irits o not go to hea*en. In genera! the o!er generations o" -anes go u# highest an areha##iest. The #ersona! o""ering is on!y to the i$$eiate "athers.

I"' as was shown in the introuctory cha#ter' the thar*an re#resents a geogra#hica! a*ance on the#art o" the Beic ryans' this "act cannot be ignore in esti$ating the #ri$iti*eness o" theco!!ection. &eogra#hica! a*ance' ac;uaintance with other "!ora an "auna than those o" the 5ig

Bea' $eans/a!though the argu$ent o" si!ence $ust not be eaggerate/a te$#ora! a*ance a!so.n not !ess signi"icant are the #oints o" *iew to which one is !e in the use"u! !itt!e wor7 o"Scher$an on the #hi!oso#hica! hy$ns o" the thar*an. Scher$an wishes to show the connection

between the ,#anishas an Beas. 4ut the bearing o" his co!!ection is towar a c!oser union o" thetwo boies o" wor7s' an es#ecia!!y o" the thar*an' not to the greater gain in age o" the,#anishas so $uch as to the e#reciation in *enerab!eness o" the "or$er. I" the thar*an has $uch$ore in co$$on with the 4r2Ga3h$anas an ,#anishas than has the 5ig Bea' it is because thethar*an stans' in $any res#ects' $iway in ti$e between the era o" Beic hy$no!ogy an thethought o" the #hi!oso#hica! #erio. The ter$ino!ogy is that o" the 4r2Ga3h$anas' rather than that o"the 5ig Bea. The !atter 7nows the great #erson< the thar*an' an the "or$er 7now the origina!great #erson' i.e..' the tausa movensuner the causa efficiens' etc. In the thar*an a##ears "irst the

worshi# o" Ti$e' Lo*e' Su##ort (S7a$bha)' an the highest brahma. The cu!t o" the ho!y cow is"u!!y recognie (XII. O an ). The !ate ritua!istic ter$s' as we!! as !inguistic e*ience' con"ir$ the"act inicate by the geogra#hica! a*ance. The country is 7nown "ro$ western 4a!7h to eastern


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4eh2Ga3r' the !atter "a$i!iar!y.293 In a wor' one $ay conc!ue that on its higher sie the thar*anis !ater than the 5ig Bea' whi!e on its !ower sie o" e$ono!ogy one $ay recognie the re!igion o"the !ower c!asses as co$#are with that o" the two u##er c!asses/"or the !atter the 5ig Bea' "orthe su#erstitious #eo#!e at !arge the thar*an' a co!!ection o" which the origin agrees with itsa##!ication. or' i" it at "irst was e*ote to the unho!y sie o" "ire=cu!t' an i" the "ire=cu!t is o!erthan thesoma=cu!t' then this is the cu!t that one wou! e#ect to see $ost a""ecte by the

conser*ati*e *u!gar' who in Inia ho! "ast to what the cu!ture ha*e !ong ro##e as su#erstition'or' at !east' #retene to ro#< though the house=ritua! 7ee#s so$e $agic in its "ire=cu!t.

In that case' it $ay be as7e' why not begin the history o" %inu re!igion with the thar*an' ratherthan with the 5ig Bea 4ecause the thar*an' as a who!e' in its !anguage' socia! conitions'geogra#hy' re$nant worshi#' etc.' shows that this !iterary co!!ection is #osterior to the 5i7co!!ection. s to ini*iua! hy$ns' es#ecia!!y those i$bue with the tone o" "etishis$ anwitchcra"t' any one o" the$' either in its #resent or origina! "or$' $ay outran7 the who!e 5i7 inanti;uity' as o its su#erstitions the re!igion o" the 5i7/i" it is right to $a7e a istinction betweensu#erstition an re!igion' $eaning by the "or$er a !ower' an by the !atter a $ore e!e*ate "or$ o"

be!ie" in the su#ernatura!.

The i""erence between the 5i7=worshi##er an thar*an=worshi##er is so$ewhat !i7e that whicheiste at a !ater age between the #hi!oso#hica! Wi*aite an Durg2Ga3ite. The "or$er re*ere Wi*a'

but i not eny the #ower o" a host o" !esser $ights' who$ he was asha$e to worshi# too $uch > > > >

FOOTNOTES$

2ootnote 1? XB. 1.3

2ootnote H? X. H.3

2ootnote A? BII. 69. Co$#are 5B. BII. A' an the e#ic (be!ow).3

2ootnote O? X. 1NA.3

2ootnote ? B. A.3

2ootnote 6? XI. H. H8.3

2ootnote N? XI. 9< BIII. 6 an N' with tree=worshi#.32ootnote 8? B. HO. O=. n the one go co$#are X. 8. H8< XIII. O. 1. Inra as S2Gu3rya' in BII. 11 > > > >

CHAPTER VIII.

EARLY HINDU DIVINITIES COMPARED WITH THOSE OF OTHER ARYANS.

Kothing is $ore usua! than to atte$#t a reconstruction o" ryan ieas in $anners' custo$s' !aws'an re!igious conce#tions' by #!acing sie by sie si$i!ar traits o" ini*iua! ryan nations' anstating or insinuating that the resu!t o" the co$#arison shows that one is han!ing #ri$iti*echaracteristics o" the who!e ryan boy. It is o" s#ecia! i$#ortance' there"ore' to see in how "ar the*iews an #ractices o" #eo#!es not ryan $ay be "oun to be ientica! with those o" ryans. Thei*ision o" the ar$y into c!ans' as in the I!ia an the Bea< the !o*e o" ga$b!ing' as shown by&ree7s' Teutons' an %inus< the se#aration o" ca#tains an #rinces' as is i!!ustrate by Teuton an%inu< the be!ie" in a "!oo' co$$on to Iranian' &ree7' an %inu< in the #!ace o" e#arte s#irits'with the +ourney o*er a ri*er (Iranian' %inu' Scanina*ian' &ree7)< in the a"ter="e!icity o" warriorswho ie on the "ie! o" batt!e (Scanina*ian' &ree7' an %inu)< in the re*erence #ai to the win=go (%inu' Iranian' an Teutonic' B2Ga3ta=Motan)< these an $any other traits at i""erent ti$es'

by *arious writers' ha*e been unite an co$#are to i!!ustrate #ri$iti*e ryan be!ie" an re!igion.

The traits o" the i*e Kations o" the Bea "or this reason $ay be co$#are *ery a*antageous!y

with the traits o" the i*e Kations o" the Iro;uois Inians' the $ost unite an inte!!igent o"$erican nati*e tribes. Their institutions are not yet etinct' an they ha*e been escribe by$issionaries o" the 1Nth century an by so$e $oern writers' to who$ can be i$#ute nohan7ering a"ter ryan #ri$iti*e ieas.213 It is but a "ew years bac7 since the !ast avat45a6ro" theIro;uois incarnate go !i*e in nonaga' K..

irst' as an i!!ustration o" the etraorinary e*e!o#$ent o" $e$ory a$ong rha#soes' Beicstuents' an other ryans< a$ong the Iro;uois $e$ory was tas7e to the ut$ost' an e*e!o#eto an etraorinary egree' says Par7$an' who as that they cou! re#eat #oint by #oint with

#recision any aress $ae to the$.2H3 -urer was co$#ro$ise "or by %ehrgeld' as a$ong theBeic' Iranic' an Teutonic #eo#!es. The Iro;uois' !i7e a!! Inians' was a great ga$b!er' sta7ing a!!

his #ro#erty2A3 (!i7e the Teutons an %inus). In re!igion $ysterious an ine#!icab!e #owerresies in inani$ate things La7es' ri*ers' an water"a!!s 2as cons#icuous!y in Inia3 areso$eti$es the we!!ing=#!ace o" s#irits< but $ore "re;uent!y they are the$se!*es !i*ing beings' to

be #ro#itiate by #rayers an o""erings.2O3 The greatest s#irit a$ong the !gon;uins is theescenant o" the $oon' an son o" the west=win (#ersoni"ie). "ter the e!uge (thus the %inus'etc.) this great s#irit (-anaboho' manais -anu) restore the wor!< so$e asserting that hecreate the wor! out o" water. 4ut others say that the su#re$e s#irit is the sun (Le @eune' 5e!ation'16AA). The !gon;uins' besies a be!ie" in a goo s#irit (manitou)' ha a!so a be!ie" in a $a!ignantmanitou' in who$ the $issionaries recognie the e*i! (why not r$u an hri$an). netribe in*o7es the -a7er o" %ea*en' the go o" waters' an a!so the se*en s#irits o" the win (so'too' se*en is a ho!y nu$ber in the Bea' etc.).

The Iro;uois' !i7e the %inu (!ater)' be!ie*e that the earth rests on the bac7 o" a turt!e or tortoise23'an that this is ru!e o*er by the sun an $oon' the "irst being a goo s#irit< the secon' $a!ignant.The goo s#irit inter#oses between the $a!ice o" the $oon an $an7in' an it is he who $a7es


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ri*ers< "or when the earth was #arche' a!! the water being he! bac7 "ro$ earth uner the ar$#it o"a $onster "rog' he #ierce the ar$#it an !et out the water (eact!y as Inra !ets out the water he!

bac7 by the e$on). ccoring to so$e' this great s#irit create $an7in' but in the thirgeneration a e!uge estroye his #osterity263. The goo s#irit a$ong the Iro;uois is the one thatgi*es goo !uc7 (#erha#s 4haga). These Inians be!ie*e in the i$$orta!ity o" the sou!. S7i!!"u!hunters' bra*e warriors' go' a"ter eath' to the ha##y hunting=grouns (as in Inia an Scanina*ia)=y45a6na).-ore than that is necessary to connect cean $ytho!ogica!!y with the e$on that surrouns(swa!!ows) the waters o" the s7y. The Beic #ara!!e! is rather 5as2Ga3' the "ar=o"" great strea$. It israre!y that one "ins ryan e;ui*a!ents in the !an o" "airies an "ays. et are the %inu c!e*erartian 5ibhus2HO3 our e!*es' who' e*en to this ay' are istinct "ro$ "airies in their eterity anc!e*erness' as e*ery wise chi! 7nows.

4ut ani$is$' as si$#!e s#iritis$' "etishis$' #erha#s ancestor=worshi#' an #o!ytheis$' with the#o!yae$onis$ that $ay be ca!!e chre$atheis$' eists "ro$ the beginning o" the re!igious history'unisturbe by the #roi$ity o" theis$' #antheis$' or atheis$< eact!y as to=ay in the ccient'

besie theis$ an atheis$' eist s#iritis$ an "etishis$ (with their inherent $agic)' an e*enancestor=worshi#' as i$#!ie by the re#ute a"ter=e""ect o" #arenta! curses.

Mhen the circ!e is narrowe to that o" the Ino=Iranian connection the si$i!arity in re!igion betweenthe Bea an *esta beco$es $uch $ore stri7ing than in any other grou#' as has been shown. It ishere that the greatest iscre#ancy in o#inion obtains a$ong $oern scho!ars. So$e are inc!ine tore"er a!! that s$ac7s o" Persia to a re$ote #erio o" Ino=Iranian unity' an' in conse;uence' toconnect a!! to7ens o" contact with the west with "ar=away regions out o" Inia. It is scarce!y #ossib!e

that such can be the case. 4ut' on the other han' it is unhistorica! to connect' as o so$e scho!ars'the worshi# o"somaan Baruna with a re$ote #erio o" unity' an then with a +u$# to a$it ac!ose connection between Bea an *esta in the Beic #erio. The Beic ryans a##ear to ha*e!i*e' so to s#ea7' han in g!o*e with the Iranians "or a #erio !ong enough "or the !atter to share inthat a*ance o" Baruna=worshi# "ro$ #o!ytheis$ to ;uasi=$onotheis$ which is seen in the 5igBea. This worshi# o" Baruna as a su#erior go' with his "or$er e;ua!s range uner hi$ in agrou#' chie"!y obtains in that "a$i!y (be it o" #riest or tribe' or be the two essentia!!y one "ro$ are!igious #oint o" *iew) which has !east to o with #uresoma=worshi#' the inherite Ino=Iraniancu!t< an the Persian hura' with the si s#iritua!ie e;ui*a!ents o" the o! Beic 2G3ityas' canha*e co$e into eistence on!y as a irect trans"or$ation o" the !atter cu!t' which in turn is !ater thanthe cu!t that e*e!o#e in one irection as chie" o" gos a Qeus< in another' a 4haga< in a thir' an

in. n the other han' in the graua! change in Inia o" Iranic gos to e*i!s' asuras' there is aneact counter#art to the Iranian change o" $eaning "ro$ devato daeva. 4ut i" this be theconnection' it is i$#ossib!e to assu$e a !ong brea7 between Inia an the west' an then such a


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suen tie as is inicate by the a!!usions in the 5ig Bea to the Persians an other western !ans.The $ost reasonab!e *iew' there"ore' a##ears to be that the Beic an Iranian ryans were "or a!ong ti$e in contact' that the contact began to cease as the two #eo#!es se#arate to east an west'

but that a"ter the two #eo#!es se#arate co$$unication was s#oraica!!y 7e#t u# between the$ byini*iua!s in the way o" trae or otherwise. This e#!ains the sti!! sur*i*ing re!ationshi# as it is"oun in !ater hy$ns an in than7=o""erings a##arent!y in*o!*ing Iranian #ersonages.

They that be!ie*e in a $onotheistic Baruna=cu!t #receing the Beic #o!ytheis$ $ust then ignorethe "o!!owing "acts? The S!a*ic e;ui*a!ent o" 4haga an the Teutonic e;ui*a!ent o" B2Ga3ta are tothese res#ecti*e #eo#!es their highest gos. They ha no Baruna. -oreo*er' there is not the s!ightest

#roo" that uranos in &reece2H3 was e*er a go worshi##e as a great go be"ore Qeus' nor isthere any #robabi!ity that to the %inu Dyaus Pitar was e*er a great go' in the sense that he e*erha a s#ecia! cu!t as su#re$e eity. %e is #hysica!!y great' an #hysica!!y he is "ather' as is Earth$other' but he is re!igious!y great on!y in the %e!!enic=Ita!ic circ!e' where eists no ,ranos=cu!t2H63.5ather is it a##arent that the &ree7 raise Qeus' as i the S!a* 4haga' to his "irst hea o" the

#antheon. Kow when one sees that in the Beic #erio Baruna is the ty#e o" 2G3ityas' to whichbe!ong 4haga an -itra as istinct!y !ess i$#ortant #ersonages' it is #!ain that this can $ean on!y

that Baruna has graua!!y been ea!te to his #osition at the e#ense o" the other gos. Kor is there#er"ect uni"or$ity between Persian an %inu conce#tions. sura in the Bea is not a##!ie toBaruna a!one. 4ut in the *esta' hura is the one great s#irit' an his si s#irits are #!ain!y a

#rotestant co#y an $oi"ication o" Baruna an his si uner!ings. This' then' can $ean/whichstans in concorance with the other #ara!!e!s between the two re!igions/on!y that Qarathustra

borrows the hura iea "ro$ the Beic ryans at a ti$e when Baruna was beco$e su#erior to theother gos' an when the Beic cu!t is estab!ishe in its secon #hase2HN3. To this "act #oints a!sothe e*ience that shows how near together geogra#hica!!y were once the %inus an Persians.Mhether one #uts the #!ace o" se#aration at the Jabu! or "urther to the north=west is a $atter o"ini""erence. The Persians borrow the iea o" Baruna sura' whose eye is the sun. They s#iritua!iethis' an create an sura un7nown to other nations.

" *on 4ra7es atte$#t to #ro*e an origina! Dyaus sura we ha*e sai nothing' because theatte$#t has "ai!e signa!!y. %e i$agines that the e#ithet sura was gi*en to Dyaus in the Ino=Iranian #erio' an that "ro$ a Dyaus Pitar sura the Iranians $ae an abstract sura' whi!e the%inus raise the other gos an e#resse Dyaus Pitar sura< whereas it is ;uite certain thatBaruna (sura) grew u#' out' an o*er the other suras' his "or$er e;ua!s.

n yet it is a!$ost a #ity to s#en ti$e to e$onstrate that Baruna=worshi# was not $onotheisticorigina!!y. Me g!a!y a$it that' e*en i" not a #ri$iti*e $onotheistic eity' Baruna yet is a go that

be!ongs to a *ery o! #erio o" %inu !iterature. n' "or a worshi# so anti;ue' how nob!e is theiea' how ea!te is the co$#!ete conce#tion o" hi$V Tru!y' the %inus an Persians a!one o"ryans $ount nearest to the high !e*e! o" %ebraic thought. or Baruna besie the !o"tiest "igure in

the %e!!enic #antheon stans !i7e a go besie a $an. The &ree7s ha' inee' a sur#assingaesthetic taste' but in graneur o" re!igious ieas e*en the aring o" eschy!us beco$es buthesitating bra*ao when co$#are with the serene bo!ness o" the Beic seers' who' "irst o" theirrace' out o" $any gos i$agine &o.

In regar to eschato!ogy' as in regar to $yths' it has been shown that the ut$ost caution inienti"ication is ca!!e "or. It $ay be sur$ise that such or such a be!ie" or !egen is in origin onewith a !i7e "aith or ta!e o" other #eo#!es. 4ut the ;uestion whether it be one in historica! origin or inuni*ersa! $ytho#oetic "ancy' an this !atter be the on!y co$$on origin' $ust re$ain in a!$oste*ery case unanswere2H83. This is by "ar not so entertaining' nor so #ictures;ue a so!ution as is thee#!anation o" a co$$on historica! basis "or any two !egens' with its ins#iring o#en sesa$e to the

oor o" the !oc7e #ast. 4ut which is truer Mhich accors $ore with the "acts as they are co!!ecte"ro$ a wier "ie! s $an in the #rocess o" e*e!o#$ent' in whate*er ;uarter o" earth he be!ocate' $a7es "or hi$se!" ine#enent!y c!othes' !anguage' an gos' so he $a7es $yths that are$ore or !ess !i7e those o" other #eo#!es' an it is on!y when na$es coincie an traits that are


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FOOTNOTES$

2ootnote 1? Co$#are the accounts o" La"itau< o" the nati*e Iro;uois' ba#tie as -organ< an the wor7s o" Schoo!cra"t an Par7$an.3

2ootnote H?Besuits in Horth America' Introuction' #.

!i.32ootnote A? Li7e other Inians' the %urons were es#erate ga$b!ers' sta7ing their a!!'/orna$ents' c!othing' canoes' #i#es' wea#ons' an wi*es' loc. cit.#. *i. Co$#are Pa!"rey' o"-assachusetts Inians. The sa$e is true o" a!! sa*ages.3

2ootnote O?Ib.#. !*ii.3

2ootnote ? Co$#are ?at. $r. BI. 1. 1' 1H< BII. . 1' Hs.' "or the %inu tortoise in its "irst "or$.The tote$="or$ o" the tortoise is we!! 7nown in $erica. (4rinton'7yths of the HeE %orld' #. 8.)3

2ootnote 6? Char!e*oi a#. Par7$an.3

2ootnote N? Par7$an' loc. cit. #. LXXII< 4rinton'7yths of the HeE %orld' #. HO8. goo instance

o" ba co$#arison in eschato!ogy wi!! be "oun in &eiger' *stir. 'ult. ##. HNO=HN.32ootnote 8? Par7$an' loc. cit. #. LXXXBI.3

2ootnote 9? Sits. $erl. A&ad. 1891' #. 1.3

2ootnote 1? 4rinton'American #ero 7yths' #. 1NO. The "irst worshi# was Sun=worshi#' thenBiracocha=worshi# arose' which 7e#t Sun=worshi# whi!e it #reicate a #ower beyon.3

2ootnote 11? 4rinton'7yths of the HeE %orld' ##. 8' HA.3

2ootnote 1H?Ib. ##. 86' HH.3

2ootnote 1A? 4rinton'7yths of the HeE %orld' #. HOA. The $erican Inians uni"or$!y regar the

sun as hea*en' the sou! goes to the sun.32ootnote 1O?Ib.#. HO.3

2ootnote 1?Ib.#. HA9=O.3

2ootnote 16?Ib.#. ' 1.3

2ootnote 1N?Ib.##. HOH' HO8' H< Schoo!cra"t' III. HH9.3

2ootnote 18? 5enou"'!eligion of Ancient ,gyt< ##. 1A' 11A "".3

2ootnote 19? Teutonic Tuisco is oubt"u!' as the ientity with Dyaus has !ate!y been conteste on #honetic grouns.3

2ootnote H? B2Ga3ta' *entus' oes not agree *ery we!! with Motan.3

2ootnote H1? 45A6it. $r.III' AO. 2&ree7? haggaron #ur3 is rea!!y tauto!ogica!' but beacon "ires ga*eway to couriers an 2&ree7? haggaros3 !ost the sense o" "ire' as i 2&ree7? hagge!os3.3

2ootnote HH? 4ut the genera! be!ie" that "ire (gni' Ignis' S!a*ic ogni) was "irst brought to earth"ro$ hea*en by a ha!"=i*ine #ersona!ity is (at !east) ryan' as Juhn has shown.3

2ootnote HA? Co$#are the &avisan ugi9s(#oets an #riests) o" the Bea with the e*i! s#irits o" the

sa$e na$es in the *esta' !i7e daevaG deva. Co$#are' besies' the Ino=Iranian "easts' medha' thatacco$#any this 4acchana!ian !i;uor=worshi#.3

2ootnote HO? Luwig inter#rets the three 5ibhus as the three seasons #ersoni"ie. Ety$o!ogica!!y


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connecte is r#heus' #erha#s.3

2ootnote H? 2&ree7? o e cha!7eos as#ha!es aien eos $enei ouranos3' Pin. K. *i. < co$#are Pre!!er2O3' #.O.3

2ootnote H6? Mahrschein!ich sin ,ranos un Jronos erst aus e$ Cu!te es Qeus abstrahirt woren. Pre!!er2O3' #. OA.3

2ootnote HN? Mhen ryan eities are ecaent' Trita' -itra' etc.3

2ootnote H8? S#iege! ho!s that the who!e iea o" "uture #unish$ent is eri*e "ro$ Persia(,ranische Altherthums&unde' I. #. O8)' but his #oint o" *iew is natura!!y #re+uice. The a!!usionto the su##ose 4aby!onian coin' man45a6' in 5B. BIII. N8. H' wou! inicate that the re!ation with4aby!on is one o" trae' as with egy#t. The account o" the "!oo $ay be rawn thence' so $ay thestory o" Deuca!ion' but both %inu an %e!!enic *ersions $ay be as nati*e as is that o" the$erican res7ins.3

2ootnote H9? IB. 1N. 1N.3

2ootnote A? loc. cit.##. N' O8.3> > > > >

CHAPTER I+.

BRAHMANISM.

4esies the 5ig Bea an the thar*a Bea there are two others' ca!!e res#ecti*e!y the S2Ga3$aBea an the a+ur Bea.213 The "or$er consists o" a s$a!! co!!ection o" *erses' which are ta7enchie"!y "ro$ the eighth an ninth boo7s o" the 5ig Bea' an are arrange "or singing. It has a "ew

$ore *erses than are containe in the corres#oning #arts o" the 5i7' but the who!e is o" no aei$#ortance "ro$ the #resent #oint o" *iew. It is o" course $ae entire!y "or the ritua!. !so $ae "orthe ritua! is the a+ur Bea' the Bea o" sacri"icia! "or$u!ae. 4ut this Bea is "ar $ore i$#ortant.Mith it one is brought into a new !an' an into a wor! o" ieas that are strange to the 5i7. The

#erio re#resente by it is a sort o" brige between the 5i7 an the 4r2Ga3h$anas. The a+us is !aterthan 5i7 or thar*an' be!onging in its entirety $ore to the age o" the !iturgy than to the o!er Beicera. Mith the 4r2Ga3h$anas not on!y is the tone change "ro$ that o" the 5ig Bea< the who!e $ora!at$os#here is now surcharge with hocus=#ocus' $ysticis$' re!igiosity' instea o" the cheer"u!' rea!re!igion which' howe*er "or$a!' is the sou! o" the 5i7. In the 4r2Ga3h$anas there is no "reshness' no

#oetry. There is in so$e regars a $ore scru#u!ous outwar $ora!ity' but "or the rest there is on!ycynicis$' bigotry' an u!!ness. It is true that each o" these traits $ay be "oun in certain #arts o"

the 5ig Bea' but it is not true that they re#resent there the s#irit o" the age' as they o in the4rah$anic #erio. " this 4rah$anic stoa' to which we now turn' the a+ur Bea "or$s the "ittingentrance. %ere the #riest is as $uch !or as he is in the 4r2Ga3h$anas. %ere the sacri"ice is on!y theact' the sacri"icia! "or$s (ya9us)' without the s#irit.

In istinction "ro$ the *erse=Bea (the 5i7)' the a+ur Bea contains the s#ecia! "or$u!ae which the#riest that attens to the erection o" the a!tar has to s#ea7' with e#!anatory re$ar7s ae thereto.This o" course sta$#s the co!!ection as $echanica!< but the woner is that this co!!ection' with thesi$i!ar 4r2Ga3h$ana scri#tures that "o!!ow it' shou! be the on!y new !iterature which centuriesha*e to show.2H3 s e#!anatory o" the sacri"ice there is "oun' inee' a goo ea! o" !egenarystu""' which so$eti$es has a !iterary character. 4ut nothing is "or itse!"< e*erything is "or the correct

#er"or$ance o" the sacri"ice.2A3The geogra#hica! centre is now change' an instea o" the Pun+2Ga3b' the $i!e istrict beco$esthe seat o" cu!ture. Kor is there $uch i""erence between the istrict to which can be re"erre the


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rise o" the a+ur Bea an that o" the 4r2Ga3h$anas. Ko !ess a!tere is the re!igion. !! is nowsy$bo!ica!' an the gos' though in genera! they are the gos o" the 5ig Bea' are not the sa$e aso" o!. The #riests ha*e beco$e gos. The o! a##e!!ation o" s#irit' asura' is con"ine to e*i!s#irits. There is no !onger any such henotheis$ as that o" the 5ig Bea. The ather=go' !or o"

beings' or si$#!y the "ather' is the chie" go. The !ast thought o" the 5ig Bea is the "irst thoughto" the a+ur Bea. ther changes ha*e ta7en #!ace. The e$igos o" the o!er #erio' the water=

ny$#hs o" the 5i7' here beco$e seucti*e goesses' whose increase o" #ower in this art agreeswith the ec!ine o" the warrior s#irit that is shown too in the who!e $oe o" thin7ing. -osti$#ortant is the graua! rise o" Bishnu an the "irst a##earance o" Wi*a. %ere brahma' which in the5i7 has the $eaning #rayer a!one' is no !onger $ere #rayer' but' as in !ater !iterature' ho!iness. Inshort' be"ore the 4r2Ga3h$anas are reache they are #erce#tib!e in the near istance' in the Bea o"or$u!ae' the a+us


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b!iss< but there is a ;uiet yet #ersistent be!ie" that at botto$ a $ora! an re!igious !i"e is ;uite asessentia! as are the ritua!istic obser*ances with which worshi# is acco$#anie.

To escribe 4rah$anis$ as i$#!ying a re!igion that is #ure!y one o" cere$onies' one co$#oseentire!y o" obser*ances' is there"ore not a!together correct. In reaing a !iturgica! wor7 it $ust not

be "orgotten "or what the wor7 was intene. I" its ob+ect be si$#!y to incu!cate a s#ecia! rite' onecannot e$an that it shou! show breath o" *iew or e!e*ation o" senti$ent. Co$#ose o"obser*ances e*ery wor7 $ust be o" which the ai$ is to e#!ain obser*ances. In #oint o" "act're!igion ("aith an $ora! beha*ior) is here assu$e' an so entire!y is it ta7en "or grante that astate$ent e$#hasiing the necessity o" go!iness is se!o$ "oun.

Ke*erthe!ess' ha*ing ca!!e attention to the re!igious s#irit that !ies !atent in the #eantic4r2Ga3h$anas' we are wi!!ing to a$it that the age is o*ercast' not on!y with a thic7 c!ou o"ritua!is$' but a!so with an un#!easant $as7 o" #hariseeis$. There cannot ha*e been ;uite so $uchattention #ai to the outsie o" the #!atter without neg!ect o" the insie. n it is true that the #riestso" this #erio stri*e $ore "or the co$#!etion o" their rites than "or the #er"ection o" the$se!*es. It istrue' a!so' that occasiona!!y there is a re*o!ting conte$#t "or those #eo#!e who are not o" es#ecia!ser*ice to the #riest. There are now two go!i7e aristocrats' the #riest an the nob!e. The #eo#!e are

regare as on!y "it to be the "oo o" the nobi!ity. In the sy$bo!ica! !anguage o" the ti$e thebric7s o" the a!tar' which are consecrate' are the warrior caste< the "i!!ings' in the s#ace between thebric7s' are not consecrate< an these "i!!ers o" s#ace are the #eo#!e (?at. $r. BI. 1. H. H). etis re!igion in these boo7s not ea' but s!ee#ing< to wa7e again in the ,#anishas with a "u!!ers#iritua! !i"e than is "oun in any other #re=Christian syste$. !though the sub+ect $atter o" the4r2Ga3h$anas is the cu!t' yet are there "oun in the$ nu$erous !egens' $ora! teachings'

#hi!oso#hica! "ancies' historica! ite$s' ety$o!ogies an other a*entitious $atter' a!! o" which arehe!#"u! in gi*ing a better unerstaning o" the inte!!igence o" the #eo#!e to who$ is ue a!! theetant !iterature o" the #erio. Long citations "ro$ these ritua!istic #rouctions wou! ha*e a certain*a!ue' in showing in nati*e "or$ the character o" the wor7s' but they wou! $a7e unenurab!ereaing< an we ha*e thought it better to arrange the $u!ti"arious contents o" the chie"

4r2Ga3h$anas in a sort o" orer' a!though it is i""icu!t a!ways to ecie where theo!ogy ens an$ora! teachings begin' the two are here so interwo*en.

BRAHMANIC THEOLOGY AND THE SACRIFICE.

Mhi!e in genera! the #antheon o" the 5ig Bea an thar*a Bea is that o" the 4r2Ga3h$anas' so$eo" the o!er gos are now reuce in i$#ortance' an' on the other han' as in the a+ur Bea' so$egos are seen to be growing in i$#ortance. Ti$e' ei"ie in the thar*an' is a great go' but besiehi$ sti!! stan the o! rustic i*inities< an chre$atheis$' which anteates e*en the 5ig Bea' issti!! recognie. To the #!oughshare an the #!ough the 5ig Bea has an hy$n (IB. N. =8)' an sothe ritua! gi*es the$ a ca7e at the sacri"ice (?un45a6>45i6rya0 ?at. $r.II. 6. A. ). The nu$ber o"

the gos' in the 5ig Bea esti$ate as thirty=three' or' at the en o" this #erio' as thousans're$ains as oubt"u! as e*er< but' in genera!' a!! grou#s o" eities beco$e greater in nu$ber. Thus' inTS. I. O. 11. 1' the 5uras a!one are counte as thirty=three instea o" e!e*en< an' ib.B. . H. ' theeight Basus beco$e three hunre an thirty=three< but it is e!sewhere hinte that the nu$ber o" thegos stans in the sa$e re!ation to that o" $en as that in which $en stan to the beasts< that is' thereare not ;uite so $any gos as $en (?at. $r.II. A. H. 18).

" $ore i$#ortance than the aition o" new eities is the subi*ision o" the o!. s one "ins in&reece a 2&ree7? Qeus 7atachthonios3 besie a 2&ree7? Qeus enios3' so in the a+ur Bea an4r2Ga3h$anas are "oun (an etre$e instance) hai! to J2Ga3ya' an hai! to Jas$2Ga3i' that is' thego Ja is i""erentiate into two i*inities' accoring as he is ec!ine as a noun or as a #ronoun) #eo#!e.21O3

$ong the cons#icuous i*ine "or$s o" this #erio is the ]ueen o" Ser#ents' whose *erses arechante o*er "ire< but she is the earth' accoring to so$e #assages (45A6it. $r.. B. HA< ?at. $r.II. 1.O. A< IB. 6. 9. 1N). In their i*ine origin there is' inee' accoring to the theo!ogy now current' noi""erence between the #owers o" !ight an o" ar7ness' between the gos an the s#irits' asuras0

i.e.' e*i! s#irits. -any ta!es begin with the "or$u!a? The gos an e*i! s#irits' both born o" theather=go (?at. $r.I. H. O. 8). Meber thin7s that this i$#!ies c!ose ac;uaintance with Persianworshi#' a sort o" tit="or=tat< "or the %inu wou! in that case ca!! the ho!y s#irit' ahura' o" thePersian a e*i!' +ust as the Persian $a7es an e*i! s#irit' daeva' out o" the %inu go' deva. 4ut there!ations between %inu an Persian in this #erio are sti!! *ery uncertain. It is interesting to "o!!owout so$e o" the 4rah$anic !egens' i" on!y to see what was the conce#tion o" the e*i! s#irits. In onesuch theo!ogica! !egen the gos an the (e*i!) s#irits' both being sons o" the ather=go' inherite"ro$ hi$' res#ecti*e!y' $in an s#eech< hence the gos got the sacri"ice an hea*en' whi!e the e*i!s#irits got this earth. gain' the two entere on the inheritance o" their "ather in ti$e' an so thegos ha*e the waing $oon' an the e*i! s#irits' the waning $oon (ib.III H. 1. 18< I. N. H. HH).

4ut what these suras or (e*i!) s#irits rea!!y are $ay be rea easi!y "ro$ the tets. The gos are the

s#irits o" !ight< the suras are the s#irits o" ar7ness. Therewith is inisso!ub!y connecte the ieathat sin an ar7ness are o" the sa$e nature. So one reas that when the sun rises it "rees itse!" "ro$ar7ness' "ro$ sin' as a sna7e "ro$ its s!ough (ib.II. A. I. 6). n in another #assage it is sai thatar7ness an i!!usion were gi*en to the suras as their #ortion by the ather=go (ib.II. O. H. ).Mith this $ay be co$#are a!so the "re;uent grou#ing o" The suras or 5a7shas with ar7ness(e.g.0 ib.III. 8. H. 1< IB. A. O. H1). s to the nature o" the gos the e*ience is contraict^ry. 4othgos an e*i! s#irits were origina!!y sou!!ess an $orta!. gni (ire) a!one was i$$orta!' an it wason!y through hi$ that the others continue to !i*e. They beca$e i$$orta! by #utting in their in$ost

being the ho!y (i$$orta!) "ire (ib.II. H. H. 8). n the other han' it is sai that gni was origina!!ywithout brightness< an Inra' ienti"ie with the sun' was origina!!y ar7 (ib.IB. .O.A< III. O. H.1). The be!ie" in an origina!!y hu$an conition o" the gos (e*en the ather=go was origina!!y$orta!) is ee$#!i"ie in a "urther #assage' where it is sai that the gos use to !i*e on earth' butthey grew tire o" $ans en!ess #etitions an "!e< a!so in another #!ace' where it is state that thegos use to rin7 together with $en *isib!y' but now they o so in*isib!y (ib. II. A. O. O< III. 6. H.H6). %ow i such gos obtain their su#re$acy The answer is si$#!e' by sacri"ice (?at. $r. III. 1.O. A< 45A6it. $r. II. I. I). So now they !i*e by sacri"ice? The sun wou! not rise i" the #riest i not$a7e sacri"ice (?at. $r. II. A. 1. ). E*en the orer o" things wou! change i" the orer o"cere$onia! were *arie? Kight wou! be eterna! i" the #riests i so an so< the $onths wou! not

#ass' one "o!!owing the other' i" the #riests wa!7e out or entere together' etc. (ib.IB. A. 1. 9=1). Itis by a 7now!ege o" the Beas that one con;uers a!! things' an the sacri"ice is #art an a##!icationo" this 7now!ege' which in one #assage is thus reconite!y subi*ie? Three"o! is 7now!ege'

the 5ig Bea' the a+ur Bea' an the S2Ga3$a Bea.213 The 5ig Bea' i.e.' the *erses sung' are theearth< the a+us is air< the S2Ga3$an is the s7y. %e con;uers earth' air' an s7y res#ecti*e!y by thesethree Beas. The 5i7 an S2Ga3$an are Inra an are s#eech< the a+us is Bishnu an $in ( ib.IB.


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The sacri"ice is by no $eans $eant as an ai to the ac;uire$ent o" hea*en!y b!iss a!one. -any o"the great sacri"ices are "or the gaining o" goo things on earth. In one #assage there is escribe acere$ony' the resu!t o" which is to be that the warrior' who is the sacri"icer' $ay say to a $an o" the

#eo#!e "etch out an gi*e $e your store (ib.i. A. H. 1< i*. A. A. 1). E*eryboy sacri"ices' e*en thebeasts erect a!tars an "iresV2HO3 That one shou! sacri"ice without the u!terior $oti*e o" gain isun7nown. 4rah$anic Inia 7nows no than7=o""ering. rinari!y the gain is re#resente as a

co$#ensating gi"t "ro$ the i*inity' who$ the sacri"icer #!eases with his sacri"ice. Bery #!ain!y isthis e#resse. %e o""ers the sacri"ice to the go with this tet? Do thou gi*e to $e (an) I (wi!!)gi*e to thee< o thou bestow on $e (an) I (wi!!) bestow on thee (45a69. S.iii. < ?at. $r. ii. .A. 19). 4ut other ens are acco$#!ishe. 4y the sacri"ice he $ay in+ure his ene$y' but in o""ering it'i" he !ea*es too $uch o*er' that #art accrues to the goo o" his "oe (?at. $r. i. H. 1.N< 9. 1. 18).

The sacri"ice is throughout sy$bo!ica!. The sacri"icia! straw re#resents the wor!< the $etre usere#resents a!! !i*ing creatures' etc.'/a sy$bo!is$ "re;uent!y suggeste by a $ere #un' but o"ten asriicu!ous!y e#oune without such ai. The a!tars $easure is the $easure o" $etres. The cor o"regeneration (bage o" the twice=born' the ho!y cor o" the high castes) is tri#!e' because "oo isthree"o!' or because the "ather an $other with the chi! $a7e three (?at. $r.iii. . 1. N "".< H. 1.

1H)< the9agati$etre contains the !i*ing wor!' because this is ca!!e9agat(ib.i. 8. H. 11).ut o" the *arie $ass o" ru!es' s#ecu!ations' an "ancies' a "ew o" genera! character $ay "in #!acehere' that the reaer $ay gain a co!!ecti*e i$#ression o" the re!igious !iterature o" the ti$e.

The "ee "or the sacri"ice is $entione in one #!ace as one thousan cows. These $ust be #resentein grou#s o" three hunre an thirty=three each' three ti$es' with an o one o" three co!ors. Thisis on account o" the ho!y character o" the nu$era! three. 4ut 2G3suri (a##arent!y "ear"u! that thisru!e wou! !i$it the "ee) sai he $ay gi*e $ore (?at. $r.i*. . 8. 1O). s to the "ee' the ru!es are

#recise an their #ro#ouners are unb!ushing. The #riest #er"or$s the sacri"ice "or the "ee a!one'an it $ust consist o" *a!uab!e gar$ents' 7ine' horses'2H3 or go!/when each is to be gi*en iscare"u!!y state. &o! is co*ete $ost' "or this is i$$orta!ity' the see o" gni' an there"ore

#ecu!iar!y agreeab!e to the #ious #riest.2H63 or his gree' which goes so "ar that he #roc!ai$s thathe who gi*es a thousan 7ine obtains a!! things o" hea*en (ib.i*. . 1. 11)' the #riest has goo#rece#t to cite' "or the gos o" hea*en' in a!! the ta!es to! o" the$' e*er e$an a rewar "ro$ eachother when they he!# their neighbor=gos. Kay' e*en the gos re;uire a witness an a *ow' !est theyin+ure each other. Discor arose a$ong the$ when once they #er"or$e the guest=o""ering< theyi*ie into i""erent #arties' gni with the Basus' So$a with the 5uras' Baruna with the2G3ityas' an Inra with the -aruts. 4ut with iscor ca$e wea7ness' an the e*i! s#irits got the

better o" the$. So they $ae a co*enant with each other' an too7 Min as witness that they wou!not ecei*e each other. This "a$ous co*enant o" the gos is the #rototy#e o" that signi"icantco*e

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