Satapatha Bramhana Part 02

SR No.: 007678
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Julius Eggeling
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1885
Total Pages: 2521
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 44 MB

Page 25

xxii
SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
M. Bergaigne's view, as may also be the doubtful passage, V, 84, 3, yat te abhrasya vidyuto divo varshanti vrishtayah, When the rains of the cloud rain thee (О earth) lightnings from the sky (?). As regards VII, 69, 6, addressed to the Asvins, 'Come, ye two men, to our libations this day, like two thirsty bulls to the lightning,' M. Bergaigne (1, 168) thinks that the identification of Soma with the lightning can alone explain this passage; since it would be impossible to imagine that the two bulls could anticipate the falling of rain from the appearance of the lightning. Though a poetic figure like this hardly bears such critical handling, perhaps M. Bergaigne will allow me to ask whether, if the passage had read, Come ye hither to our libations, like two bulls to the thunder 1,' he would have thought it so very bold a figure for a Vedic poet to use?
The most important of all passages, however, undoubt. edly is IX, 84, 3: a yo gobhih srigyata oshadhîshu ....a vidyutâ pavate dhåraya sutah, indram somo madayan daivyam ganam. M. Bergaigne translates (I, 172) the first påda by 'Lui qui est répandu avec les vaches (i. e. the raindrops) dans les plantes,' which, of course, fits either view equally well; the only question being, whether Soma is already united with the rain-drops when they are poured forth by the clouds, or whether, in the shape of lightning, he is still separate from them. The third påda, M. Bergaigne remarks (I, 170), may be boldly (hardiment) translated by 'Il se clarifie, exprimé en un torrent qui est l'éclair.' This rendering, if correct, would doubtless settle the point; but to my mind it is not only a very doubtful, but a highly improbable explanation. What I believe to be the true interpretation of the passage had been given by Prof. Ludwig two years before the publication of M. Bergaigne's volume, viz. 'Expressed in a stream, he clarifies himself by the lightning-Soma who exhilarates (or inebriates) Indra and the divine race.' It will be seen that this alters the case completely. The lightning would be
1 Cp. IX, 100, 3: Send forth mind-yoked thought, as the thunder sends forth rain.'
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