Page:History of India Vol 1.djvu/104

 the gates of heaven, and where mighty rivers flow. Take me there and make me immortal. Flow, Soma, for Indra.

"Take me where there is the third heaven, where there is the third realm of light above the sky, and where one can wander at his will. Take me there and make me immortal. Flow, Soma, for Indra.

"Take me where every desire is satiated, where Bradhna has his abode, where there is food and contentment. Take me there and make me immortal. Flow, Soma, for Indra.

"Take me where there are pleasures and joys and delights, where every desire of the anxious heart is satiated. Take me there and make me immortal. Flow, Soma, for Indra."

In addition to Yama and his twin sister, Yami, Vivasvat and Saranyu had another pair of twins, the Asvins, who appear in the Rig-Veda as great physicians, healers of the sick and the wounded, and tending many persons with kindness. Long lists of the kind acts of the Asvins are given in several hymns, and the same cures are spoken of over and over again. On their three-wheeled chariot they make the circuit of the world day by day and succour men in their distress.

Brihaspati, or Brahmanaspati, is the lord of hymns, brahma in the Rig-Veda meaning hymn. The conception of this deity arose in much the same way as the conception of the deities Fire and Soma. As there is power in the flame and the libation of the sacrifice, so there is power in the prayer uttered; and this power