Page:The Religion of the Veda.djvu/188

 I 7:: The Religion of the Vedn

mythic traits in which this god is not altogether wanting. He is lord of all things that stand or move ; almost the some words describe'szryn (lvlelios). He also is the lover or husband of the Sun-Maiden Sﬁryi't, that arch-ﬂirt who carries on affairs with the mole Sfiryo, the onins, and Some. lie alone has the very ancient epithet zigﬂ'ngz.‘ “glowing.” This ﬁts the sun, and besides hardly any other article then ﬁre. Now ﬁre Pﬁshan is not. To consider him, under these circumstances, :1 more “god Pros- pero,” or an abstract “ Lord of the Paths,” is a goml deal like begging the question. Contrnriwise his abilities as pathuﬁnder, cnttle god, and restoror of lost things point to an overseeing heavenly body, particularly if we may trust another Lithuanian folio song (doing) which I may be permitted to quote:

Oh, at the yester even tide

I lost my little lamb 1

Oh, who shall help me go and seek My only little lamb P

I went and asked the morning star, The morning star replied ::

“ I have to build the deer sun's ﬁre At morrow’s morning tide.”

I went and asked the evening star, The evening star replied :

“ I have to make the deer sun’s bed At every even tide.”

JMEIH lﬂr