400 ON THE VE'dAS, 



first revealed, it appears, that its proper and ori- 

 ginal place is in this liymn. I therefore subjoin a 

 translation of the prayer, which contains it, as also 

 the preceding one, (both of which are addressed 

 to tlie sun ;) for the sake of exhibiting the Indian 

 priest's confession of faith with its context ; after 

 having, in former essays, given more than one 

 version of it apart from the rest of the text. The 

 other prayers, contained in the same Siicta, being 

 addressed to other deities, are here omitted. 



* This new and excellent praise of thee, O 

 splendid, playful, sun (Pushai? J f is offered by us 

 to thee. Be gratified by this my speech : approach 

 this craving mind, as a fond man seeks a woman. 

 May that sun (Pushan), who contemplates, and 

 looks into, all worlds, be our protector.' 



* Let us i\ieditate ox the adorable light 

 OF the divine rxjLer ( Savitri )^' : MAY IT guide 

 OUR INTELLECTS. Dcsirous of food, we solicit the 

 gift of the splendid sun (Savitri), who should be 

 studiously worshipped. Venerable men, guided 

 by the understanding, salute the divine sun (Sa- 

 'vitrt) with oblations and praise.' 



The two last hymns, in the third chapter of the 

 7th book, are remarkable; as being addressed 

 to the guardian spirit of a dwelling house, and 

 used as prayers, to be recited with oblations, on 

 building a house. The legend, belonging \to the 

 second of these hymns, is singular : VasishVha, 



* S'ayan'a'cha'rya, llie commentator whose gloss is here 

 followed, considers this jiassage to admit of two interpretations : 

 ' tl;e light, or Brahme constituting tlie splendour, of the supreme 

 ruler, or creator of the universe;' or * the light, or orb, of the 

 splendid sun.' 



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