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The Religion of the Veda

mythic traits in which this god is not altogether wanting. He is lord of all things that stand or move; almost the same words describe Sūrya (Helios). He also is the lover or husband of the Sun-Maiden Sūryā, that arch-flirt who carries on affairs with the male Sūrya, the Açvins, and Soma. He alone has the very ancient epithet āghṛṇi "glowing." This fits the sun, and besides hardly any other article than fire. Now fire Pūshan is not. To consider him, under these circumstances, a mere "god Prospero," or an abstract "Lord of the Paths," is a good deal like begging the question. Contrariwise his abilities as path-finder, cattle god, and restorer of lost things point to an overseeing heavenly body, particularly if we may trust another Lithuanian folk-song (daina) which I may be permitted to quote:


Oh, at the yester even tide I lost my little lamb! Oh, who shall help me go and seek My only little lamb?

I went and asked the morning star, The morning star replied: "I have to build the dear sun's fire At morrow's morning tide."

I went and asked the evening star, The evening star replied: "I have to make the dear sun's bed At every even tide."

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