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 I 70 The Religion of the Veda

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worshippers corresponding breadth or wide scape for success and prosperity, and that he frees them from restraint and trouble, follow as an almost inevitable consequence. In a later time Vishnu is elevated tn the highest place; he is one of the so~called Hindu Trinity. To the end he remains the Vishnu of the solar paradise to whom go the spirits of the departed pious. But at the same time he represents to his sectarian worshippers the pantheistie Brahma, or “ all-soul,” with which the soul of man is ultimately destined to unite.

I choose as the second example of a translucent god, the shepherd god Pﬁshan. His chief claim to usefulness is that he knows the roadways; protects from their dangers, such as wolves and robbers; guards cattle, so that they be not dashed to pieces in the ravine; brings them home unhurt when they have gone astray; and, in general, restores lost things. Pushan personally drives the cows to pasu ture; he weaves the sheeps’ dresses, and smoothes their coats; he carries a goad, and his car is drawn by goats. And seeing that he lives on mush or gruel, whereas the other gods revel in some or ghee, his bucolic nature is pretty clear. His name means “ Prospero,” which may, of course, be the epithet of any benevolent god, and therefore veils rather than tells his particular character.

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