Dhammapada

SR No.: 007674
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Max Muller
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1881
Total Pages: 2540
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 45 MB

Page 802

xviii
SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
sense. The identification of the Vis with the Visve Devâh, which ultimately obtained, was probably determined chiefly by etymological considerations.
The same triad of divinities, as representative of the mutual relations of the social grades of the Aryan community, is repeatedly met with in the sacrificial ritual, and especially in its dogmatic exposition. This identification finds its most complete expression in the well-known passages of the Taittirîya-samhitâ (VII, 1, 1, 4-5) and the Tândya-brâhmana (VI, 1, 6-11)1. According to these authorities, Pragâpati, the lord of creatures, created from his mouth the Brahmana, together with Agni, the trivrit stoma, the gâyatri metre (and the rathantara sâman and he-goat, according to the first source; or the spring, according to the other). From his breast and arms he created the Râganya, together with Indra, the pañkadasa stoma, the trishtubh metre (and the brihat sâman, and the ram; or the summer respectively). From the middle part of his body he created the Vais ya, together with the Visve Devâh, the saptadasa stoma, the gagatî metre (and the vairûpa sâman, and the kine; or the rainy season respectively). Finally, from his feet he created the Sûdra, together with the ekavimsa stoma and the anushubh metre (and the vairâga sâman and the horse, according to the Taitt. S.), but no deity, and no season. In accordance with these speculations, single objects of those here enumerated are frequently found elsewhere identified with their respective deities and castes. On the same principle, the three savanas, or morning, mid-day, and evening libations2 at the Soma-sacrifice, as well as the first three days of the
1 See Weber, Ind. Stud. X, p. 8.
2 In Ath.-veda IX, 1, 11, the three savanas are assigned to the Asvins, IndraAgni, and the Ribhus (cf. Ait. Br. VI, 12) respectively; and in another passage of the same collection. VI, 47, I, to a. Agni; b. the Visve Devâh, Maruts and Indra; and c. the Bards (kavi). In Våg. S. XIX, 26, also, the morning libation is assigned to the Asvins (? as the two Adhvaryus of the gods, cf. Sat. Br. I, 1, 2, 17; IV, 1, 5, 15; Ait. Br. I, 18); but in Taitt. S. II, 2, 3, 1; Ait. Br. III, 13; Sat. Br. II, 4, 4, 12; IV, 2, 4, 4-5 they are referred to Agni, Indra, and the Visve Devâh respectively. See, also, Sat. Br. IV, 3, 5, 1, where the Vasus (related to Agni III, 4, 2, 1; VI, 1, 2, 10), Rudras, and Adityas (cf. VI, 1, 2, 10, and Ait. Br. III, 13) are connected with the three libations.
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