Page:The Religion of the Veda.djvu/169

 Transparent and Opaque Gods I 5 3

poetic possibilities of this loveliest of nature sights gain the day. She releases from service her sister Night as she rises from the darkened East higher and higher to ﬂood heaven and earth with her waves of light. To the Sun-God she is a bride, Opens for him her bosom’s splendor. Or, she loves the two Agvins, the Dioscuri, with whom she travels on their car drawn by birds. Divine and gracious maiden, but yet no more than one of nature’s splendors, she is the type of many a heavemborn story, could we but read it aright.

Next Surya (Sol, Helios) appears upon the stage. He is the Sun~God treated as transparently as pos- sible. He is styled the son of Dyaus, the Father Sky; Dawn is his bride, or, in another mood, the Dawns are said to be his mothers. On a car drawn by seven tawny steeds, his course is guided by other great gods, the old Adityas, Mitra, Varuna and Aryaman. Again, he is the eye of Mitra, Varuna, or Agni (Fire). He is the preserver and soul of all crea- tion, of everything that stands or moves. Enlivened by him men pursue their vocations. He is far-see- ing, manubeholding, takes note of the good and bad deeds of mortals. They in turn look up to him, rejoicing in the security and the inspiration which his light affords.

I shall let speak for itself the hymn, Rig-Veda