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D#orma, 1927]
VEDIC STUDIES
231
The swift, gladdening streams (O Soma), ran forth impetuously like the horses of a chariot. The sweet-bearing streams (have run) towards Indra, the Vajra-bearer, as a cow with milk runs to its calf." 10, 44, 6: pr'thak prd'yan prathama' deváhatayo
'krrvata sravasyd'ni dushtard ! ná ya bekúr yajñiyam nd'vam driham
ir maivá té ny aviéanta képayah | This verse is somewhat obscure. I translate, following Yaska (Nirukta, 5, 25, 1): "The first invokers of the gods sped forth swiftly and performed famous (deeds) difficult to surpass; the wicked pzople who were unable to get upon the ship of sacrifice, stayed here only." 10, 91, 7: vd'topadhúta is hitó vásin ánu
Irshi yád ánná vévishad vitishthase d'te yatante rathyó yátha pathak
sárdhansy agne ajáráni dhákshatah ! "When thou, O Agai, being fanned by the wind, extendest thyself rapidly, following thy desires, and reachest forth eagerly after food, the unaging flames of thee, that art burning, move forward swiftly like the horses of a chariot." 10, 142, 4: yád udváto niváto yi si bá psat
pr' thag eshi pragardhiniva séna yada' te vd'to anu vd'ti socer
vápter 8máéru va pasi prá bha'ma l “When thou goest, devouring, over ups and downs, thou movest as swiftly as an eager mig. sile. When the wind is blowing behind thy flame, thou shavest the earth as a barber the moustache." By an eager missile ' is to be understood a weapon that has been hurled against the enemy. Weapons are frequently described in Indian literature as drinking the blood or life-breath of the enemy; see, for instance, the Mahabharata (Kumbhakonam ed.); 7, 27, 27, pattribhih pranibhojanaih | ndndrúpais tadamitran kruddhe nighnati Phalgune : 7, 91, 23: dvishatam asub hojind .. .. ndrâcena; 7, 117, 10: éard rudhirabhojandh ; 7, 117, 27: te (éardh).... papuh bonitam dhave; 7, 134, 26 : apiban sútaputrasya bonitam raktabhojandh (ec. ndrdcah). A greedy weapon therefore means a weapon that is eager to drink the blood or the life-breath of the enemy. 10, 101, 4: 8f'ra yuñjanti kaváyo
yuga' vi.tanvate pr'thak
dhi'rà devés hu sumnayê li "The wise put the ploughs together; the clever, desiring the grace of the gods, quickly make ready the yokes." AV. 11, 5, 13 : agnaú stt'rye candrámasi matarisvan
brahmacáry apsú samidham d' dadhati | ta'sdm arci'mshi pr'thag abhré caranti
ta'sám á'jyam púrusho varshám d'pah | "In the fire, in the sun, in the moon, in M&tariśvan, in the waters, the Vedic student puts fuel. Their gleams go quickly to the cloud ; their sacrificial butter is man, rain, waters." Compare Manusmrti III, 76: agnau prastahutih samyag adityam upatishthate | Aditydj jayate up shfir vr shter annam tatah prajah. AV. 7, 45 2 : agnér ivdsya dáhato davásya dahatah pr'thak
eta'm etúayershya'm udná' gním iva lamaya || "Extinguish, as (one does) fire with water, this man's jealousy which is burning impetuously (i.e., fiercely) like fire, liko forest-fire."
