Zend Avesta Part 03

SR No.: 007673
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: L H Mills
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1887
Total Pages: 2618
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 49 MB

Page 953

NOTES. V, 61, 5.
359
Verse 4. Note 1. Bhadraganayah, generally rendered by `possessed of beautiful wives,' seems really to mean 'possessed of an excellent mother.' Gâni clearly means mother, when Agni dvimata, having two mothers, is called dvigånik; for it is never said that he has two wives. Besides, the Maruts are constantly addressed as the sons of their mother, Prisni, while their wives are mentioned but rarely. However, the other meaning is not impossible. See also Bergaigne, II, 387 seq.
Note 2. The fire here intended is, I suppose, the sacrificial fire, to which the Maruts are here invited as they had been in former hymns.
Verse 5. Note 1. Ludwig compares the A.Ş. expression healsgebedde; see also RV. X, 10, 1o.
Note 2. I have very little belief in the legends which are told in the Brahmanas and in the Anukramani in illustration of certain apparently personal and historical allusions in the hymns of the Veda. It is clear in many cases that they are made up from indications contained in the hymns, as in IX, 58, 3, and it seems best therefore to forget them altogether in interpreting the words of the Vedic hymns.
The story told in the introductory verses, quoted by Såyana, is this :- Arkanānas Åtreya was chosen by Rathavîti Darbhya to be his Ritvig priest. At the sacrifice Arkanānas saw the daughter of Rathaviti and asked her in marriage for his son Syâvâsva. Rathaviti consulted his wife, but she declined on the ground that no daughter of theirs had ever been given to a man who was not a poet (Rishi). Thereupon Syâvâsva performed penance, and travelled about collecting alms. He thus came to Sasîyasi, who recommended him, as a Rishi, to her husband, king Taranta. King Taranta was very generous to him, and sent him on to his younger brother, Purumilha. On his way to Purumilha, Syavasva saw the Maruts, and composed a hymn in their praise (vv. 11-16). He had thus become a real poet or Rishi, and on returning home, he received from Rathavîti his daughter in marriage.'
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