________________
greatness is inconceivable, and he is especially praised with Indra, the two being looked upon as masters of the world.[50] His highest place is the realm of the departed spirits.[51] The hymns to him appear to be late (thus I. 155. 6, where, as the year, he has four seasons of ninety days each). Like P[=u]shan (his neighbor in many lauds) he is associated in a late hymn with the Maruts (V. 87). His later popularity lies in the importance of his 'highest place' (or step) being the home of the departed spirits, where he himself dwells, inscrutable. This led to the spirit's union with the sun, which, as we have said, is one of the first phases of the pantheistic doctrine. In the family-books Vishnu gets but two hymns, both in the same collection, and shares one more with Indra (VII. 99-100; VI. 69). In some of the family-collections, notably in that of the Visvamitras, he is, if not unknown, almost ignored. As Indra's friend he is most popular with the Kanva family, but even here he has no special hymn.
None born, God Vishnu, and none born hereafter E'er reaches to the limit of thy greatness; Twas thou establish'st yon high vault of heaven, Thou madest fast the earth's extremest mountain. (VII. 99. 2.)
Three steps he made, the herdsman sure, Vishnu, and stepped across (the world). (I. 22. i8.)
The mighty deeds will I proclaim of Vishnu, Who measured out the earth's extremest spaces, And fastened firm the highest habitation, Thrice stepping out with step all-powerful.
O would that I might reach his path beloved, Where joy the men who hold the gods in honor. (1. 154. 1, 5.)
Under all these names and images the sun is worshipped. And it is necessary to review them all to see how deeply the worship is ingrained. The sun is one of the most venerable as he is the most enduring of India's nature-gods.[52] In no early passage is