Page:History of India Vol 1.djvu/97

 bat. But he did not escape destruction, and Indra's foe fell, crushing the clouds in his fall.

"Glad waters are bounding over the prostrate body as rivers flow over fallen banks. Vritra when alive had withheld the water by his power; Ahi now lies prostrate under that water.

"The prostrate body lies concealed and nameless under ceaseless and restless waters, and the waters flow above. Indra's foe sleeps the long sleep."

It would be easy to multiply such legends, but our limits forbid such a course. We will therefore only make a passing mention of the legend of the recovery of light by Indra after the darkness of night. The rays of light are compared to cattle which have been stolen by the powers of darkness, and Indra seeks for them in vain. He sends his messenger Sarama (probably the dawn) after them, and she finds the fortress where the Panis, or powers of darkness, have concealed the cattle. The Panis try to tempt Sarama, but in vain. She returns to Indra, and Indra marches with his forces, destroys the fort, and recovers the cattle; darkness is gone, and the day has dawned. The legend is related in its fullest form in the following hymn:—

The Panis say:—"O Sarama! why hast thou come here? It is a long distance. He who looks back cannot come this way. What have we with us for which thou hast come? How long hast thou travelled? How didst thou cross the Rasa?"

Sarama replies:—"I come as the messenger of Indra. O Panis! it is my object to recover the abundant