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321

On the Vadle Conception of the Earth.*?Atharva

Chaules
Veday xii, l.2?By
Brucjs, Esq.

Art.

XNI.?

8th March,

[Head Saturday,
Turc

freim

Earth,

the Atharva-Veela,

eif

structure?

anel

quarters

thrown

and

exhibits,
Greek

on

metres)

some

therewith
same

the

to the
em

remarks

translator

the
to

ceuiceives

from different

The

translator

eif the earth which

the conception

t? compare

writers

some;

drawn

the compiler.

by

together

of a Hymn

by
the

which

(in different

to explain

proceeds

fedlowed

compeisitkm,

theeiriginal

up of verses

be made

a translation

contains

paper

following

18G2.]

of

representations

then

the hymn
ancient

subject.

Om!
1. Truth which
and

secration

the World
us

give

room

herbs
for

anel

ascent

and

prayer

the mistress

of

is strong,

con

sustain

sacrifice,

the past and future?,

among3 the sons of man ; may

descent

every

having

which

righteousness

holiness,

2. Unmolested
hath

to

the World,

; may

free

is mighty,

dedication

one

and

much

its

virtue,

theWorld,
which

country,
plain
for
increase

us

and

which
bcareth
pros|ier

us.

the Earth, on which

3. May

and

[Siiielhu],

which
among

all that hath

that

them

4. May

the

are

life and breath

are well
'World

is the sea, likewise

em which

the waters,

with

corn

anel

the Great Hiver

fruitful

is quickened,

make

em

fields,

us chief

satisfied.
its four

corners,

on which

are

corn

and

fruitful fields, may the Earth, which bcareth everywhere

breathing
of cattle which shall not
and living things, place us in possession
dry.
1 The

of the following
article
dcpircH to acknowledge
the generous
in its preparation,
he has received
in the tranidatioii
particularly
from ProfcBBor Roth, of Tubingen,
and fcnkcH this opportunity
of the Vedic Hymn,
Ihank h to that learned and amiable man.
of returning
hi? wannest
2
von R. Kofh mid I). 1).
Atharva Veda Saiihitsi.
HcrauRgegehcn
Whitney.
B The
in here RUggcBteel in place of
reading madhyatai
ttadhyatas.
assistance

writer

which

TUE

322

5. May
upon

which

home

of

VEDIO

the World,
the

EARTH.

the first-born of old conflicted,1

upon which
overcame

gods
of

cattle,

OF TUE

CONCEPTION

the demons,?may
of

horses,

birds,

the
us

grunt

the

World,

and

enjoyment

honour.

G. May Earth, the place of habitation, which

things, which holdeth all treasure, which suffereth
that hath life to repose on her golden breast,?may
us

the

presence
of our desire.

object

tin; Earth

7. May

8. May
the

and

without

slumber,
guard
as it were
milk

upon

is

fire whose

holdeth

yield
down
shower

they

the World,

sweet
honour

the Wise

which

water,

the

us

grant

that
gods,
and pleasant
us.
upon

never
things

was a floating mass

in the beginning

which

is India,

lord

whose

which

World,

ceasing,

; may

moving

in all men,2

all

containeth

every creature
Earth, which

Ones

after

sought

with

cunning devices [whose heart is in the highest heaven?immortal

about with truth]?may
the Earth and World give us energy
?girt
and strength
in high places.
9. May the Earth, on which
the waters,
going round about
flow
and
and
fail
the Earth
continually,3
night
day
not,?may
give us milk [in a thousand streams] and shower down honour
us.

upon

10. May Earth, which the Aswins meted out, on which Vishnu
hath stepped, which plenipotent
Indra hath rid of all his enemies,?
Earth

may

waste

and

her

thy

and

on

dark,

tawny,

Earth

be

ruddy,

pleasant;

of

virtue

the

us;

purify

thee
Earth

is our

Parjanya
13.

there

ground,

do

erected?the

pillars

father,
Earth

the

On

even

there

is our

mother,

lieth,

colours,

do

am

us.
he further
may
men
do ministrant
lay out

they

the

established,

thy navel, where

establish
the

there

pillars

us?do

son

enclose

sacrifice;

shining

upright,

and World,

firmly

about

thou
I

unhurt]

the Earth

divers

thy

[unwearied,

protected by India.
12. About the middle of thee, 0 World,
the

son.

mountains?may

the World?on
of

ine her

to

snow-clad

thy

"World,

I dwell

may

are

milk?mother

hills

woodland,

unscathed
which

out

pour

11. May

before

of

Earth;

consecrated

the
are

thou

the

the sacrificial
the

offering;

the glad Earth yield us fruits of gladness.

may

1 Sec
3

v. 43.

Agni

represent
3 The
neither

hero

aa elsewhere

comprehends

both

the divinity

and

the material

ait.
uniform
fall short

distribution
of, nor exceed

of

the waters

their mark

is here
ami hound.

considered,
l?y which
they
v. 8f>, 0.
See ltig-Vcda,

TUE

VED1C

OF TUE

CONCEPTION

EAltTII.

323

11 im who hateth us, O AVorld, who plagueth

us, who
or
us
0
do
thou
action'?him,
Earth,
prevent2
provoketh
by thought
14.

and

over

him

give

two-footed

with

his

our

and

things

upon whom

men,

do

info

hands.

that are born of thee do go upon thee, thou bearest

15. Mortals

four-footed

are

; thine

the Sun at his

doth

rising

those

shed

races

five

of

immortal glory

rays.

IG. May

these all render

thou

me

give

tribute

of

sweetness

unto

us; and thou, 0 Earth,

speech.

17. The Earth is the mother of herbs, oF whom all things arc
born ; the Earth and World arc sure, and established
on a firm
foundation,

and

glad

; may

pleasant

we

walk

for

thereon

ever.

18. Great is the place of thee, thou hast become great, great is
the force of thee, the trembling and the quaking; may groat India
over

watch

and

thee

not

relax

; thou,

make

Earth,

like gold ; may no one hate us.

19. Agni is in the Earth, in herbs; the waters
is in the flint rock ; Agni is in men ; in cattle
Agni
are many

21.

to

shine

contain Agni;
and in horses

A guis.

20. Agni shineth forth from heaven ; the wide

place of the god Agni; men kindle Agni;?the
sacrifice, who lovcth fat things.
are

us

May

dark,8

whose
the World,
me
vigorous

make

garments
and active.

arc

of

firmament is the
bearer of the

flame,

whose

knees

22. On the Earth men present to the gods the sacrifice, the
on the Earth mortal men are satisfied with
prepared oblation;
food ; may the Earth give mc breath and life, may the "Worldmake
mc to be full of years.
the odour which is produced of thee, 0 AVorld, which
23. With
which

herbs,

Apsaras
one

hate

waters

contain,

which

the

and

(?andharvas

that do thou make me fragrant;

in,?with

may no

us.

21. With
odour

?the

the

delight

the odour of thee which

which

of

old

the

immortals

has penetrated
gathered

and

the firmament,
brought

to

the

lit. weapon.
Vadhena,
The translation
is here rendered
in accord
?rr?? Xty?ptrov.
F?rvokrtvari,
ance with the reading,
suggcslcd
hy TrofcsHor Koth, pfirrakrfrari
(the accent
with pilrvngjUvai?).
thus analogously
a The
seems to be to a
; the comparison
expressed
ligure if. rather obscurely
of bright
colour (i.e. the sunlight),
in a mantle
which only dis
swarthy person,
2

covers

from the knees

downwards.

THE VEDIC

324

no

may

one

the odour of thee which

in men

beauty

one

in humanity?loveliness

exists
horse

the

women?in

and

in the

and

elephant?

that; may no

us, too, with

of the maiden?fill

is the glory

which

rue fragrant;

us.

hate

25. With
anel

EARTH.

that do thou make

of Surya1?with

marriage-feast

OF THE

CONCEPTION

us.

hate

is formed of rock, anel flint, and dust; the Earth

to the World whose
is firmly wrought
together2 and established;
breast is of golel let me do honour.
2G. The Earth

the

27. Where

us

let

render

tree's

timber

which

the World

stand

for

fast

all things,

upholdeth

which

evermore,

even

is surely

founded,

te)

[?raise.

still and going

28. Rising
up anel sitting
elown?standing
we
never
with
the
Earth
the right
stagger upon
forward?may
foot or with the left.
which
21). 1 praise the World
the
is continually
renewed,
our
we
which
in
Earth
dwell
about
rejoices
prayer; may
patient
thee,

fooel

anel

thou

Earth,
fat

that

anel

refreshment

bcarest

eif

store

nurture,

things.

30. May clean waters flow for our body ; that which dcfilclh
us do wre throw off upon him that is not lovely ;s I wash me
31. All

us

Thrust

32.

nor

above

from
come

to

us

upon

; do

to the east and to the north,

0 Earth,

the west,

may

1 not fall as I walk

may

go;

clean.

thy corners,
anel

south

the

am

and

thoroughly

become

tlmy

not

away

from

behind,

below

; bless

us,

keep

pleasant

to

as

upon the Earth.

from
thou

for me

far

from

us

nor
0

from

Earth,
the

may

destroying

before,?neit
no

robber

weapon.4

33. All the range of thee, 0 Earth, which 1 look over by the
the sight of my e;ye leise none eif it, till the
help eif the Sun?may
latest

which

years

31. What
loft,?what
de> not

thou,

ia often

iv. 7.
2 The
8 That

text

tei come.

though,
we

though

1 Savitar
which

arc

therefore,

as 1 lie, 1 turn on my right side or on my

lie us
harm

down
us, 0

with
Earth,

our
them

backs
cradle

against
of all.

thee,?

to Soma ; for the legend,

had g?renlos
in marriage
daughter fiun/?
alluded
to. hoo Rig-Veda,
10, 85, ?), and 09. Aitarcyk
Jh?diiiiana,
rcada saudhrta,

thin very

other plaecH.
4 Or the murderer.

unpleasant

perhaps samhhrid.
hahit prevailed

iu unfortunately

confirmed

In

TU IC VEDIO

OF TUE

CONCEPTION

that

rene west

continually

3f?. May
and

early

late

thy

thine autumn,

thy rains,
thine

spring,?may

thy day and night,

thy years,
were

winter,

face.

thy

0 Earth,

thy summer,

32?

it quickly grow again ;

the heart of thee, thou

35. That which 1 dig up, 0 Earth, may

1 not pierce through a joint or through

may

EARTH.

0 World,

thine

seasons,

appointed

us blessings

yield

as it

milk.

is continually renewed unto perfection,

37. The World, which
in which are the Agnis that are in the waters,
took unto herself
the serpent, though with trembling, while, giving
up the godless
Indra

Dasyus,?preferring
as unto
Sakra

in which

who

know

the

of

pillar

ollices

the

with

praise

give

creation,

a solemn

by

loud

our

May

drum

with

on

side,

shout

which

service,

they

on

ancient

Rishis

extricated

the

we

which

who
kine,

covet;

may

a
with
sing and dance
ami
the"
the battle-cry

men

which
do

Earth

the

aloud,?may

that Indra may

us.

prevent
mortal

war,

priests
ou

intonations,

to holiness;?

dedication

reveal the wealth

may
on which
the Earth,

noise,

the seven

the

Avhicb
and

hymns

in

Indra

on

to their duties

instant

by

that Earth

on

be

Bhaga
41.

being
sacrifice

feast,

4.0. May

unto

subject

tabernacle and the

the

is set,

sacrifice

which the ministers set themselves

drink the Soma;?
39. May the Earth, on which
fashioned

was

Vritra,?she

are placed

the Earth, on which

38. May
ark,1

not

and

lord.

her

our

with

away

adversaries,

the World rid us of all our enemies.

42. To the Earth, on which is nurturing food, rice and barley,?
on which are the ?vo peopling races,? to the Earth, whose lord is

may

the

Earth

the AVorld, where

are

be

Farjanya,

43. In

of all things,

the womb
corner

the

41. May
hidden

places,

teous Earth,
45. May
of

tongues,

our

for

to be

give

various

rice or other

foi sacrificial
VOL.

XIX.

may

the

rain

the

the World,

contended,?in

they

the Lord

fatness.

drops

towers built by

of Creation

make

every

delight.

AVorld,
me

that

holdeth

wealth?jewels

everywhere
and

gold

treasure
the

; may

in

boun

the kindly goddess, give me much wealth.

that holdeth everywhere
theWorld,
people of different

1 fiadchav'mlh?ne
to receive

on which

the strong

on which

is the ground

where

gods,

honour,?to

purposes.
Y*

customs

havirdhdna
offerings;

according

to

their

appears to have been

sadas a hut erected

homes,

yield

an ark or chest
in the consecrated

me

on wheel*,
ground

THE VEDIC

32G

OF THE

EARTH.

like a milch cow that standeth

sources of pleasure,

thousand
to

CONCEPTION

ready

the milker.1

4G. Thy serpents, thy scorpions of deadly bite, thy wasps which
are driven iu by the ceild and lie in bielden places,?all
thine insects,
0 World,
these

are

which

quickened
not creep
things

crawling
is innocent.

that

Thou

47.
the

hast

chariot
anel

lofty

the

paths
to
cart

the

life

upon
on
go
our

in the

us

; favour

season,?may
rainy
us with
the thing

men

for

the

the

a
go,
highway
on which
paths
riel of every
enemy,

which
upon,

travel
be
; may
lowly
path
us with
elo them favour
the thing

robber;

every

many
for

and

inte)

that

of

is innocent.

which endureth the burden of the oppressor,

48. The World,
and bcareth up the abode of the lofty and the lowly, suffercth the
hog and giveth entrance to the wilel boar.
49. Keep away from us, 0 World,
thy cattle of the wild, thy
beasts of the forest, thy lions and tigers, which go about to devour
far from us the jackal and the wolf, the evil being, the
men,?keep
wicked spirit, anel the Uakshas.
50. Defend us, 0 Earth, from the Oanelharvas and the Apsaras,
the Ar?ya and the Kimidin,
the Pisacha,2 and all the family of the
Uakshas.

51. Two-footed
eagles,

vultures

heaven

and

winged
and

things

feiwls
over

passeth

eif the
the

swans

fly to the Earth,

the

air;

earth,

wind
the

raising

dust

and
eif

out

coineth
and

causing

the trees to shake, and the flame followeth all the gusts of the wind.
52.

Darkness

anel

twilight

are

disposcel,

and

day

arc

night

ordered on the Earth ; the Earth and World are covered by the
rains ; may they grant us a pleasant home that it may be well
us.

with

the Heavens

53. May
for me
me

give

in

this

place

; may

and theWorld
Eire,

Sun,

and the Air make

and

Water,

and

all

the

room
gods

wisdom.

51. May I be lord, evon a Mighty One on the Earth, may I

lord it mightily,
lord over all, a conquering
lord over the whole
Earth.

55. What
spreading

did welfare

time of olel, 0 goddess,

tli3'self

enter

abroad

thou

at

didst'expand

into thee, then didst

the word

of the goels,

into greatness

; then

thou set the four corners

in

order.
1
a eow that docs not kiek against
Dhenuranapasjdiurant?,
3 We should
of the idea by translating
convey something
sprite, the faery, and the elf."

the milker.
these names,

"

tho

OF Till-.

CONCEPTION

VEDIO

THE

EARTH.

327

in the
and woodland,
5G. In the peopled [daces, in the waste
inen upon the Earth, in the assembly and in the
eif
congregation
our

may

together,

gathering

words

be

acceptable.

the dust, so hath Earth scattered the

57. As a horse scattereth
is she
elwelt upon her since she existed,?yet
have
which
jieople
the protector of creation, bearing plants and
kindly and prevenient,
in her

trees

bosom.

the worels

58. May all

my

may

appearanex;
fenwarel

pressing
59.

May

whose

breasts

they

was

which

eif her hiding

to yield
for

manifest

as

desires

thou

pleasure;,

it were

is e;xe*edle;nt,
fragrance
arc full of
breasts

eif

the

place

of

vessel
art

and

righteousness.

G2. May

children

thee,

and

shall we

life;; never

without

bestowing
that which

till up?the

first born of

humanity,

elo

decay;

thou

to thee

in bringing

be slothful

made

mother.

noble

'World, that shall elwell iu

to us, 0

be born

sickness

without

the vessel
was

secret,

exhausted;

not

the Lord of Creation

lackest may

even

iu

concealed
yet
e>f the sons
of the

milk,

Viswakarman

eiffering,

in the mist,

as

eiijeiyinent
the
capacious

art

Them

01.
all

the

force,

are? vieilent.

bless me as it were with milk.

by means

which,

Earth,

drew forth out

of

whoso

drink,

heavenly

to

according
full

I be

; may
that

them
wheise;

the World

milk, bless me,?may

GO. The

all

Earth,

peaceful
the

contain

me

after

I scatter

; may

the

that I speak be pleasing,

desire

give

us

long

the appointed

offering.

Earth, do thou fix anel stablish me, that it may be

of heaven grant me
thou that art the associate

G3. Mother
well with me;
prosperity

This
Atharva

fortune.

and

like others

hymn,

is by

Veda,

of equal

ne) means

to be

length

in this part of the

as

considered

of

result

the

sullice to

a slight inspection eif its contents will

single inspiration;
it is composed arc put together
of which
show that the materials
either of metre or of
without
any strict regard to continuity
An

subject.
and

this

similar
than

cessful

attempt

to

compositions,
into

to

bring

can
relief

into

order

resteire

hardly
some
of

the
to

hope
the more

eif

confusion
men?

be

suc

considerable

fragments.

The first six verses

three

strophes

of

four

of this hymn, which

lines

each,

exhibit

divide themsidves
fairly

consecutive

of their subject, and are nearly

tion in the expression
The three verses which follow may reasonably
metre.

into

graela

ielentical in
be classed
Z 2

TUE

328

VEDIO

OF TUE

CONCEPTION

EAItTl?.

as they seem to embrace one range of thought, and two

this
will restore a sufficient unison of metre:
alterations
trilling
will be effected by striking out the line 8 b. which is inserted in
together,

in

brackets

the

to

tageous

the

translation,?a

expression

stanzas

these

the

second

of a refrain,

twenty-second,
but
(with
of mutilation,)
evidence
we

in order

are

in every
from

extending
following

are

suggestions
in verse
eleven,

unity;

are placed

as wan

considered

however,

mentary

lind

may

which

interpolation

The

as

as well

this

under

three

closely
consecutive

to

on

verses,

verses

have

been

thought which

The
metrical

the commencement

is

fourteen

so

33?35,

placed

find

frag
invoca

from

its

as
of Agni
have thought

consideration

verses

in

mutilation

in
as

these,

1 am

they express,

the

though

same

verse;

latter

way

of

in metre,

with

to

and
a

singlo

tho
grouping
and
bearing

to annex

three

the

line Ma.
these

between
of

the
the

construction,

inclined

the

account

present

them

similar

an

to harmonise

the

attribute

may

on

easily

eighteenth
fails
also
which

omitting
inserted

are

we
to

in thought,

another

which

subsequently,
to belong

themselves
to

verse,

eighteenth

rather

we

present
and

verses,

The

a due

first fine of verse

twenty-fourth
in the

occurred

supposition

one

which
source,

place
seems

twenty-fifth,
of
indications

inspiration.
No difficulties
next

at

shalo

aj?lo

the

the

bears

the metre,

stand

fragment,
a
single
verso.

restore

the compiler may

and

twenty-third
has

which

verse,

in

remark

trig.

tion of Agni,
but which,
connected with the earth,
admissible into the hymn.
refrain

to

the isolated and probably mutilated

Following
which,

continuous
to
attributing
seventeenth
the

in order

the words

and

something

also

stanzas,
forty-first
of
bears
10<?., which
exception
in metre.
are sullicieiitiy
identical

the

offered

in brackets,

we

which

tolerably
in
justified
to
eleventh

the

introduced,

which

find

respect

case

in

that

be observed

It will

feature

and

isolated,

Next

idea,?and

is in each

line

tenth,

widely
internal

we

the

the manner

after

the

in the line 9 c.

the word bh?midh?r?

advan
is equally
out
also
striking
by

which

change
of

two

bearing

seem

groups
of

correspondence

the

to them no metrical

connection.

two billowing-

The
regard

to

the metre

and

verses
to

the

stand
subject

a fragment which
is apparently well
verse ; we may
us the forty-second

entirely
matter,

isolated,
but

are

both with
followed

by

connected, extending as far

iu
be justified, however,

OF TUE

TUE VEDTC CONOEITTON

the line 38 c. for an

holding

1 have

awkward.
exceedingly
verse?
the fort y-first
this

Beyond

place.

text

presents

the

point

5?), and

58,

G3.

with

connection

associate

from

evidently

a continuous

the

are

to the compiler,
in

together
as

serve

the

however,
of

compiler

the opinions
in point

who,

such

chose

the

contained

historic

entertained
inhabitants.

charm,

to those

of
For

time,

were

the origin
the

rest,

the

and
this

that, with a single exception

it is the only
three stanzas),
occurs

among

1 purpose
1

all

those

which

a number
which

conception
and
earth

the

In

point,
monuments

all

men

betake

of

this

the
the

possesses

of

ourselves,
which

of all

that

absence

the

reveal

legends which

traditionary

hymn

In

account;

from

that
of

we

existence

those
had

world,

earth

and

its

value

special

in the Rig Veda (M?ndala, v., 81,

one dedicated to the earth that
literature

Vedio

liber den Atharva

this

drawn
of

has

to consider briefly the conception

Ahhaiidlung

on

value

early

foremost

by

acquaintance

in the other Vedas.

its

interest.
this

already

this collection

intimate

ami

of

without
upon

remark

of

dis

which

The example

Veda.

fragments,

and recall the remote

of

manner

general

expression
had formed

knowledge

peculiar

care

none

loses

generation
preceding
nor
is the subject

is thereon:
positive
without

course

as

the

arc so admirable

hymn

of different

undoubtedly

in the Atharva

that the

fragments,
which
lay

appropriate
the materials

careless

of

hymn.

readily be seen

in

somewhat

indicate

possibly

original

of

up

is
and

forty-sixth

may

same

it will

conscientious

that

displays

of witnesses,
or a
his own

not

no

It??51

fragment
the

Roth,1 that the compilation

the subject which

the

prayer,

to have

seem

the
and

which
tin.

confirmation

single

made by Professor

truth,

distinct

quite

in sense.

the productions

the

similar compositions

tinguishes

no means

of

is a compilation
made
themselves
presented

they

put

refrain

has been here said

us

before

at hand

with

or

although
of
idea,

portions

disfigured

From what

all

source,

expression
a
exhibit

verses

forty-seventh
that
they

may

form

in measure

either

same

deriving

bards,

separated

them,

to

by verses which

regard to the remaining stanzas, it would not be easy to

more than two together with any probability of their

With

hymn
wherever

seem

of measure,

can be gathered out of the

include the verses 53, 51, 5G,

fragment
this may

verses

These

and are oddly enough

of

reference

the

a confusion

such

is

the construction

suggested

already

to another

that but one considerable

twenty verses:
remaining

as

interpolation,

329

EAHTT?.

Veela.

Tiihiugcn,

of

preserved.

the earth which

1850.

Page

8.

?330

THE VED?C

is here

exhibited,

teristics

which

this

into

bringing

arc discovered
Iu

subject.1

OF THE

CONCEPTION

the

EARTH.

some

comparison

iu the mythology

absence,

of

however,

similar

of

charac

CJrecce upon

those

prc-Ifomeric

and prc-Hcsiodic poems, which must undoubtedly have existed and

held a place relative to that e>f the Indian Vedas, comparison must
be sought chiefly iu such allusions as show the germ out of which
were dcvclopeel the subsequent mythologies
which, in the plastic
eif the; O recia u genius,

ion

imaginai
of pure

following

Honmric

poems
eif

cemccptiou

the

simpler

charms

which
is preserved
the
minor
among
hymn,
under
the; Medina*
eif All?gives
a
the; title?Tei
the; earth
the
eif
complclcst
possessing
simplicity
anel

nature-religiem,

in

showing

many

points

marked

to the Veda hymn.

similarity

IIymni

1.

lost

nature-redigion.

The?

early

soon

so

I will

celebrate

are

xv.

HoMi-iuci,

Earth,

(Baumeister).

the Mother

e)f All, whose

foundations

sure,

The most ancient Earth, that nurtureth all things that are iu
the world ;
Truly all things that move over the divine land, and in the
Boa,

And all things that fly in the air,?all

of

5.

And

thy

treasures;

out

eif thee are men

fruitful

blessed

these arc nurtured

with

out

and with

children,

increase,

August Earth! and it is in thine hand to give and to take

away life
From mortal men : but he is blessed whom thou, after thine
heart,

Shall be willing
his hand ;
His

glebes

10. lie

are;

to honour,
with

heavy

lias wealth

of

and all things

food,

and

iu his

cattle;, and his house

are

in plenty

at

pastures

is filled with

good

things.

Their

city

is full of beautiful women,

they rule their city

order,

Anel great wealth

1

The

Griechische
Griechische

principal

works

Mythologie,
Mythologie.

and treasure follow after

which

have been

AVelekcr's

consulted

Griechische

them ;

on thisBuhjeet
G?ttcr'chrc,

arc : Prcllcrs
und

Qerhardt's

in

VEDIC

TUE

And their young men

And their maidens?in
15.

and

Sport

over

skip

OF TUE

CONCEPTION

EARTH.

rejoice in the freshness

garlanded circles?with
the

soft

of

flowers

331

of their joy,
glad heart

the meadow,?

thou shalt honour?august

Even they whom
goddess?boun
teous deity I
of the starry heaven,
Hail ! mother of the gods?consort
And be willing as guerdon of my song to give nie wealth that
rejoiceth the heart.
This

details,

striking

some

presents

as well

scope and burden,

in its main

hymn,

of

expressions

as in some
remarkably

thought

It will be observed that

coincident with that in the Atharva Veda.
allusion to the "firm
the
the first line of the Homeric
hymn, by
of

foundations"
of

"mother

the

all,"

in

Earth,
two

unites

with

connection
of

attributes

the

the

expression
which
the

Earth

failed to distinguish, but which at

earliest phase of nature-religion
a later period diverged
into two distinct objects of worship?a
distinction which is precisely described by Ovid in the lines
commune

Oflicium

of the Atharva

burden

The
latter
treasure,

the

of

contemplation

and

vegetation,

et Terra

Ceres

prie bet causant

llrce

is mainly

hymn
as

earth,

devoted

the

to this
room

and

space

affording
to
than

rather

life,

f_iicnf.nr,
ilia locum.

frtigibus,

to

consideration

of

in producing these, or to
those active agencies which it manifests
which
Thus
results
of
the
the operation
they display.
changing
" free room without
from
molestation
the earth is invoked for
as
hath
which
life
to
described
men;"?is
"suffering
everything
"
as
of
and
the
the
on
her
up
place
bearing
repose
golden breast,"
the

and

lofty

as

the

earth,

the

tasteless

which
turtle,
In

was

importance

the earth
of

those

conception,
of
mind

Indian

later

wc

things,

find
as

mythology,

allusion

the slightest

of

no

hint

of

to

that

on

to elephant,

serpent.

the Grecian

agencies

of

itself rested,?not

the earth
or

passive

speculations

all

of

sustainer

and

rock,

In this contemplation

together."

firmly wrought
the

of

founded,"?"formed

"surety

lowly,"?as

flint, and dust

and

of
conception
attached
early

external

the

poet,

operations,

epithets,
the
than
as

in the

which

on

earth,
to
so

to, for the most

is alluded
perpetual
rather

the

the
that

the

expression
epithets??Tco?

like
of

other

hand,
of

the
lively

?affiaX?s

echo

more
active

function

passive

incidentally,

part,
seem

the

manifestation

of

in the shape
of

realization
aU??^a7a

an

(.ailier
in the
neXwptj

latter

the

expression
be remembered,

it will

consideration,

of

coutemplatieui

earth

the

EARTH.
to

ivpvobcirp?

r/a/i/?
a

special

quite

v. 47.
hymn,
as a mother?an

in the Atharva

is attached

importance
In the

iu

anel

?pcXaiva?tiopvmipvo?,
which

OF THE

CONCEPTION

VEDIC

THE

332

expression

mother
is alsei introduced in the Atharva
which
hymn?"may
" the Earth is a mother?1
am the
me
son
to
milk
her
Earth give
;"
in
must be remembered that this conception
sein of the Earth;"?it
its earliest
whiedi

as

mother,
Atharva
v.

35),

means
by
considered

furnishing,
are

hymn
food anel

Kid when

for

muirishment

they

an

as

the; earth
in

the

(which
eif the
earth,
part
the
contains
race,
only

absolute

human

the

ctckcv

7?/

declined,

syinhnliscel
corn
fruit
anel

of
as

of mother

relationship

first

which

conecption

that

embraces

anderste

(.?recks

The

?vOpt?nov?.

no means

by

phase
later

the

is attributed to the earlier

germ of that essential meaning which
as
an
him
anel
is
used
argument for the deduc
by
symbol by Plato,
of

tion

his

iu the

conception,

in Mcncxcitus

passage

238.)

:?(P.

"A remarkable proof that the earth bore (?W_) our forefathers
that everything, which has given birth,
lics in the consideration
the

possesses

feu* that

food

necessary

one

whei

pretends
the
birth;

for

ment

to have
in

done

notable
jireieif that she has given
and barle;y, which
crops of wheat
of

nourishment
consideration
for

the; earth

but

woineui

human
case

de ?es not
imitate

found

more.-

imitate

anel

and

less

lino:?(Works

anel

earth

gives

is eif far greater

proof
eif women,
iu the ease
and

in conceptiein

parturition,

definite

should
Days,

slated,

had at an earlier

expression,

as

for example)

1.)

parp??

which

this
than

earth,

women

tv ?vi?putv, 'iv ?iwi'

/ii?t* ?l nrioptv

il passage

our

birth to men, for she produced

are admirably adapted for the

is here; so precisely

general
VI.

in Pindar:?(Nenien.

species;
of
the

point

from

e>f nourish

fountains

the earth."

idea which

The;
time

the
in the

no

has

to whiedi

regard

birth,

given

is readily distinguished

but

so,

it has

to which

so that a woman who has given birth

yivoQ'

Ik

?fKJt?rtpof'

seem almost

identical with

the Ilesiodic

108.)

w? ?fi?Otv yty?aai

Oto? Ovtjroi r avOpionoi,

in Nesieiet of the origin of the human

though the account given
race is totally at variance with this idea, and everywhere describes
men as having been created
by the gods.1
1
Sec
llcsiod."

"
an essay
?ber
Kolh. T?bingen,

den inylbus
1800.

von den

f?nf raciisclicngcscldcclitcrn

bel

TUE VEDIC
The
Plato

to the

alludes

race.

human

Atharva

The

animal

the

production

kingdom,

hymn

merely

animals

of

out

are applied

to those which

similar

precisely

of

no

takes

EAUTn.

has been

that which

preceding

paragraph

OF TUE

CONCEPTION

the

recognizing

333
from

quoted

the

in terms

earth

of the

to the origin
notice
earth

of

the

as

the

of

origin

on

place

which all manner of cattle, and beasts, and creeping things?the

domestic cow, and the lion, and jackal of the wilds?have
their
In

existence.

allusion

frequent

particular,

to

is made

the

circum

stance

that the earth, though full of good things for the service of
AVith these
man, is also the home of deadly beasts and reptiles.
passages may be compared the fragment, to be found among the
the mother of the gods;"
its infernal
Homeric hymns, entitled?"To
to the
evidence
proves it to have been addressed
satisfactorily

thou

Baumeister.)

and of all men,

of all gods,

The mother
Do

xiv.

Homerici,

earth:?(LLymui

sing?sweet-voiced

of great

muse?daughter

Jove!

Her whom the echo of the cymbal and the drum, and the hum
of fifes
Delight, and the roar of wolves and tawny lions,
And

the

re-echoing

mountains.

parallel to the idea which is here expressed of the earth

in
the noise and activity of life, is found in the invocation
rejoicing
of the Vedic bard to the earth as the place where men shout and

further

of

noise

the

where

dance,

the

and

battle-cry

drum

are

heard,

(v. 41.)
But the activity of life upon the earth was in general a feature
of far greater
interest to the Grecian than to the Indian; in this
in the Vedic
I refer to the contrast which is exhibited
connection
and

hymn

in the

Homeric

hymn

has

which

been

earlier

in

given,

In both,
from the earth.
desired
nature of the blessings
are
world
of
this
and
the
wealth
prayed for ;
indeed,
good things
but the latter presents us with a charming picture of the social
the

enjoyed
pleasures
while
the former
unmolested

being

It will
invocation
tionship

clearly

are under
of the earth,
the favour
by those who
on the
of
social
dwells
advantage
negative
only
one.
bated
and of not being
by any
by others,

be observed
to

the

earth,

originated?which

expressed

that each of these

as

the

is, at

in different

of

consort
all

hymns
heaven.

events,

passages

readily

of

closes with
How

this

an
rela

conceived?is

the Atharva

hymn;

of those

independently

in the

Ip?ptv ?yvb?
tpi?Q ht yalav
on?poc ?' An*
tKixrt yalav'

Grecian

we

poets,

is more
a remark

have

in Athenams

in the fragment

by iEschylus

EAltTII.

the personification

where

passages

out

brought

substantially

able statement
p. COOB).

OF THE

CONCEPTION

VEDIC

THE

334

:?(xiii.,

ovpavo? rp?aai \Qova,

yauou rv^ttv*
Xap?avti
tvv?tvro?
ovpavov ntowv
i'?dt r'iKrtrai ?porolc

pi'lXwv rt ?ooKtic Kai ?iov Si?pi'irpiovt

ya/iou
?jpa ?' Ik vori?ovro?
?tv?p?jri?
TtXtt?c larir.

To the subject of the earth's origin we find in the Vcdic

but

vague

allusions

sion

which

may

; these

e)ccur

to

same

refer

the

in vv.

55,

8,

in v.

occurs

myth

an

and

GO,

29.

hymn
expres

It

should

seem that reference is here made to a traditiem of the earth having

been concealed in the midst of a watery mist or nebula, out e)f
it was brought by the exertions of the gods in answer to
which
the

of

sacrifices

and

prayers

in itself,

contradiction

Viewakarman

seems

but

the

to contain

the

myth
implies
of a tradition
germ

lay at the bottom of the three principal accounts of the

The first of these, namely,
earth's origin in the Grecian th?ogonies.
that the Earth was produced out of Oceauus, which Aristotle
declares to have been considered by many the oldest tradition, is
but incidentally alluded to by Homer (Iliad, xiv. 201), 'Qkcovov Ocwv

which

tcivkiul
*Qk?uvos oarrcp fyr'i'Cffi? wuvicaai
OccailUS,
*y<Ve<r<i', and (240)
was
itself
not
which
the
is
here
be remembered,
it must
se;a,
pro
nature
eif this
the
Of
xxi.
eif Oceanus.
eiut
duced
l?)(>.)
(Iliad,
it is probable

element

definite
the

through
With

this
the

the

having
nebulous

eif

tradition
Island

is the
at

of

the

Dedos,

no

such

conspicuous

in

the; Atharva

place

may
origin
rose; out of

the; more
this

legend

eif smell,
Venia,

in the Greek

Or. p. 381.)
(llergk. Poet. Lyr.

produced

the Ile;sieidic

eif what

we

call

theogony,

Orphic
out

of

Oceanus

subsjkinex).

earth's

1 have
eif light.
eif the geiel
where
in The?ognis,
the passage
an allusiem
to
the se;nse
contains
pmmuicm;c

been

which

birth

marked

personification
of
basis
the

no

entertained

themselves

to the chaeis of

refers

Oceanus"
reappears
as
./Eon

represents
an intermediate

eif

myth

it

and

ocean,

which

in which

account,

ancients

the

that

it undoubtedly

idea;

be
the;

compared
ocean
at

the
the

iu introducing
pleasure
is rederreel
to, as
which

vv.

23,

contemplation

is brought
into
but
&c.,
occupies
of

nature:?

it

T??E VEDIC

OF THE

CONCEPTION
or* plv

4?o?/3f ava$

at Ota t?ki, n?Tiaa

EARTH.

335

Ar/rw,

pai?tr?i?, j^P"?*' l(fin^afdvtj,

ic?XXioTov ini rpoxoti?'t? Xtpry,
n?oa piv inXi?nQi\ Ai/Ao? ?irupioin
?fyiijj? <\p?po<jii)C, iyiXatJirt ?i y ala irtXwpij,
yifOiimv $e ?aOvc tt?vtq? ?Xb? iroXti/i;.

fn?viico?
aOov?rt?v

have been noticed

It will
as

gods

anterior

and

to,

that the Indian myth

the

in,

auxiliary

the

represents
the

of

origin

earth,?a

is nowhere
to the gods of Grecian
conceded
priority which
are
in the Indian legend as
further
described
they
mythology;
and
without
relaxation
earth
the
without
guarding
slumbering1?
a far higher conception
of them than was entertained
in the
as
were
in
to
which
Grecian
they
systems,
subject
fatigue and
as to the other weaknesses
which arc incidental to
drowsiness
men.

mortal

some

remain

There

embraced

allusions,

in

the

Aredic

hymn,

which
the scope of this essay will not allow me to enter upon.
Two especially might well furnish subject for particular investi
offers on
gation, and for comparison with what Grecian mythology
same

the
times

which
the

with
of

subjects;
notices

daemonic

earth's

so

But

t?)

first,

that

allusion

combat

victorious
here

powers

to

the
and

of fire in its connection with

the gods
conflicts
secondly,

the earth, which

on.

insisted

prominently
the Atharva

by

and

themselves;

among

pre-historic

on

carried

the Asuras,

called

inhabitants

primeval

to the consideration
is here

refer,

the

the

contains

hymn

of

expression

religious

idea, which proves the earth to have been viewml by the early
from a bearing where the Greeks appear to have
Indian religionists
no
In the concise but forcible expression of the
stand point.
found
of
this
line
hymn, we find the three component parts of
opening
as the basis of the world;
truth and justice, as
down
laid
religion
in
of
its
to others;
life
relation
conduct
and
rule
the
religious
consecration,
guidance
as
the

outward

after

more

1 For
fully

whose
instances

recognised,

in

that,
the

recognition

in the Veda
sec the Essay

of

idea
of

had created

equilibrium

their

was

an

the

and

natural

unknown

to

of

the

material

by

the

the watchful
where
providence
on the five ages mentioned
above,

the

world,
power,

power?a

supreme

and ordered all things

maintained

self

sacrifice

prayer
and
obedience

conception
a

of

rule

and

purity;
devotion

of

than

the

as

abstinence

inward

manifestation

spirit of order, which

proportion,

of

it is obvious

embraced
strove

and

temperance,
the means

Hence

gods.
they
and

and

in just

absence
the gods
p:?gc 18.

of

of
is

TUE VEDIC CONCEPTIONOF TUE EARTIL

336

all excess, a id whose

prerogative
for his
things, to be entreated

more

was

no more

recognition
dim and

uncertain

as the disposer of all

But of this spiritual

it was,
favour.
to

possible

these

early
lost

which

foreshadowings,

than

religionists
more

themselves

and

until the fundamental

and visible contemplations,
came
to
in
be
all
its
considered
idea,
parts,
merely as the

inmaterial

religious
means

of obtaining

material

and

benefits

enjoyments.

But out of this religious idea, which was beyond the horizon of
Grecian inspection, arose an idea of the purity of the earth, which
itself of all impurities,
is here represented as continually renewing
and

a connection

further,
which

religion,

In

of
than

idea the earth

of which
of

services

is more

religion

conclusion,

arc

the
once

earth

with

alluded

is invoked as

performed.
a single
I offer

Vv.
remark

the

material

to, and

in the

2i),
upon

30,

of

prosecution

on which

the ground
13,

parts

the

38.
the

style

of

this

the earth is, for

Vedic composition ; it is one of great simplicity;
and its good
its blessings
the most part, considered as yielding
things under the simple figure of a cow, the most frequent of all
of its kindly bounty,
in the Veda, and as expressive
illustrations
it is here naively alluded to as a cow which docs not kick against
the milker.