Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 7 1889.djvu/79

Rh Simbirsk he is also called Shisa Pas or Shi Pas, i.e., Sun God. As the first-born of Ange Patyai he is also termed Iniche Pas, i.e., Son or Child God, while she is termed Nishkeiva,' or the mother of Nishki Pas. Her second son, Sviet-Ver-nishki Velen Pas (God of the world-forest-beehive community (village)), is ruler of the earth and looks after the human communities or villages (vele), which he has established with the aid of his elder brother, the Beehive God. Her third son, Nasarom Pas, is god of winter, night, and the moon. He receives into his kingdom of Nasarom-nishki (the dark beehive) the souls of all the dead. Good souls he sends on to Nishki Pas, but drives off the bad ones to the realms of Shaitan. Her fourth son, Voltsi Pas, is the supreme god of living creatures other than man. He protects hunters and fishers. Her eldest daughter is Nishkende Tevtyar, who has a beehive on the earth where real bees live. She protects bee-keeping, a favourite occupation of the Mordvins from remote ages. She is also the goddess of destiny. When a child is born Ange Patyai leaves its fate to be settled by this daughter. She also has a son, Purgine-Pas (the Thunder-child God) or Melkaso (Vergi Muchki Melkaso), which means "the thunder-child's spirit moving upon the earth." Her second daughter, Norrova Aparuchi, is goddess of agriculture. She has a son, Mastir Pas (Earth God), who dwells within the earth and gives it strength to produce all sorts of plants, especially grain and edible fruits. Her third daughter is Paksya Patyai (field aunt), protectress of meadows, pastures, and gardens. She has a son, Ved Pas (Water In Ersa ine means "great," inentae "greatest," which perhaps is the correct form of iniche. A son is in Ersa tsyora, a child eed, Moksha ed, id, idnä, ednä.