405 ov THE ve'das, 



the motive? the fence? the metre? the oblation? 

 and the prayer? First was produced the Gayatri 

 joined with fire; next the sun (Savitn) attended, 

 by Ushnih ; then the splendid moon with Anush- 

 riihhy and with prayers ; while Vfihati accompa- 

 nied the elocution ofVRiHASPATi (or the planet 

 Jupiter). Vu^ati was supported by the sun and 

 by water (MiTRA and Varun'a); but the [middle] 

 portion of the day and Tnshtubh were here tlie 

 attendants of Indra ; Jogati followed all the gods : 

 and by that [universal] sacrifice, sages and men 

 were formed.' 



* When that ancient sacrifice was completed, 

 sages, and men, and our progenitors, were by 

 him formed. Viewing with an observant mind 

 this oblation, which primeval saints ofl'ered, I ve- 

 nerate them. The seven inspired sages, with 

 prayers and with thanksgivings, follow the path 

 of these primeval saints, and wisely practise [the 

 performance of sacrifices], as charioteers use reins 

 [to guide their steeds].' 



Some parts of these hymns bear an evident re- 

 semblance to one, wiiich has been before cited 

 from the white Vqjush*, and to which I shall 

 again advert in speaking of that Veda. Tlie com- 

 mentator on the Rigveda quotes it to supply some 

 omissions in this text. It appears also, on the 

 faith of his citations, that passages, analogous to 

 these, occur in the Taittir'iyaca, or black Vajush, 

 and also in the Brdfmiana of the Veda. 



The hundred and one gods, who are the agents 

 in the framing of the universe typified by a sacri- 



* Asiatic Researches, Vol. VII. p. 251. 



