Page:The Religion of the Veda.djvu/83

 A The Hieratic Religion sacrifice. Our good friend the poet is after all a monger in technical rites who cannot, even in the moment of his inspiration, quite forget his trade. Lest we think that just this particular poet has nodded for a moment, another hymn repeats the, to us, offensive comparison : 67 "The bright Dawns have risen in the East, Like sacrifice posts uplifted at the sacrifice. Luminous, pure, and clear, they have unbarred The portals of the stable of darkness.' (Rig-Veda 4. 51. 2.) We may turn this about the other way and prove the example. Just as it is possible for a brilliant poet of the Rig-Veda to institute comparisons be- tween glorious Dawn and the tawdry sacrifice post, so it is possible for another poet to consider the sacrifice post as a subject fit for high poetic treat- ment. We are accustomed to make allowance for symbolism in connection with articles belonging to ritual, but I question whether the poets of any other land have ever turned their talents to such curious use: Rig-Veda 3.8. I. God-serving men, O sovereign of the forest!' With heavenly mead at sacrifice anoint thee. That is, the tree from which the sacrifice post is made.