Page:The Religion of the Veda.djvu/128

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The Religion of the Veda

and "rejoices in lightning," or, "twists the lightning" (τερπικέραυνος). The Lithuanian Perkunas has absorbed the functions of Zeus and has become chief god. In the Veda also[1] Parjanya is called "Father Asura," making him for the moment the double of Father Sky, the Asura. In another passage he is even more directly identified with Dyaus.[2]

The Veda has a pair of twin gods, known as the "two Horsemen" (açvin). They are frequently called "Sons of Heaven" (divo napātā). Of all Vedic divinities they have the most pronounced mythical and legendary character. They put in their appearance regularly in the morning, along with other divinities of morning light. A maiden by the name of Sūryā, that is "Sun-Maiden," or daughter of Sūrya, that is "Daughter of the Sun," is captivated by the youthful beauty of the Açvins, chooses them for her husbands, and ascends their chariot that is drawn by birds. A different yet related touch is added to their character in a riddlesome brief story[3] which furnishes them with another female relation, namely, a mother by the name

  1. ↑ Rig-Veda 5. 83. 6.
  2. ↑ Divaḥ parjanyād antarikshāt pṛthivyāḥ. Vājasaneyi Sanhitā, 18, 55 et al.
  3. ↑ Told in Rig-Veda 10. 17. 1, 2; see the author in Journal of the American Oriental Society, vol. xv., p. 172 ff.
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