402 ON THE VE'DAS, 



tion of enemies, and which are used at sacrifices 

 for that purpose. 



The seventh chapter opens with a hymn, in 

 which Surya', suraamed Savitri', the wife of 

 the moon *, is made the speaker ; as Dacshina', 

 daughter of Praja'pati, and Juhu, daughter of 

 Brahma', are, in subsequent chapters f. A very 

 singular passage occurs in another place, contain- 

 ing a dialogue between Yama and his twin-sister 

 Yamuna', whom he endeavours to seduce; but 

 his offers are rejected by her with virtuous expos- 

 tulation. 



Near the close of the tenth chapter, a hymn, in 

 a very different style of composition, is spoken by 

 Va'ch, daughter of Ambhrin'a, in praise of her- 

 self as the supreme and universal soul J. Vdch^ it 

 should be observed, signifies speech; and she is 

 the active power of Brahm'a', proceeding from'' 

 him. The following is a literal version of this 

 hymn, which is expounded by the commentator, 

 consistently with the theological doctrines of the' 

 Vedas, 



* Tiiis marriage is noticed in the Aitareya Br&hman'a, where 

 the second lecture of the fourtli book opens in this manner; 

 ' PHaja'pati gave his daughter, Su'rya' Savitri', to Soma, 

 the king.' The well known legend in the Purdnas, concerning 

 the nsarriage of S6ma with the daughters of Dacsha, seems to 

 be founded on this stoiy in the Vedas. 



t In the introductirn to the index, these, together with other 

 goddesses, \»ho are reckoned authors of holy texts, are enumerated 

 and distin^^'.uished by tiie iijipeljation of Brahmevddini. An ip- 

 spired writer is, in thf masniline, termed Brahmev6din. 



\ Towards the end of llie VrihadAranyaca, Va'ch is mentioned 

 as receiving a revelation from Ambhi'ni, who obtained it from 

 the sun: but here she herself bears the almost similar patronymip 

 Ambhkin'i'. 



