Page:The Religion of the Veda.djvu/205

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Religious Conceptions and Feeling
189

"Daughter of Faith, born of Zeal, sister was she of the Seers that did create the beings. Do thou, O girdle, assign to us Thought and Wisdom; also assign to us Zeal and Strength." (Atharva-Veda 6. 133. 4.)


Faith kindles the sacrifice-fire and, by way of return, the sacred fire, this chief emblem of Brahmanical religion, is in charge of both Faith and Wisdom:

"Through Faith the fire is kindled, Through Faith the oblation is offered. Faith, that stands at the head of fortune, Her do we with our song proclaim." (Rig-Veda 10. 151. 1.)

On the other hand, the Brahmanical disciple appeals to Agni Jātavedas (the holy fire) to preserve for him faith and wisdom, to keep intact his memory, so that he may not forget the sacred texts, and to secure him in well-being.[1]

Next, Faith becomes a person, a goddess. That would not be bad but for the mechanical character which she then assumes. Imagine – and in order to imagine this one must be pretty well steeped in Hinduism – the frame of mind of a poet who skilfully exalts the goddess Faith, but finally asks her to accept oblations:

  1. ↑ Çānkhāyana Grihyasūtra 2. 10. 6.
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