A new approach to the Vedas : an essay in translation and exegesis

A NEW APPROACH TO THE VEDAS

Spring was the oil, Summer the fuel, Autumn the offering. 6.

Him, erst-born Person, they besprinkled on the strew (barhist) :

The Angels, the Saints (sa@dhyah) and the Prophets (ysayah) by him made sacrifice. 7.

From that sacrifice, when the offering was all accomplished, the speckled oil was gathered up :

That made the birds and beasts of field and forest. 8.

From that sacrifice, when the offering was all accomplished, the Verses (Rg) and Liturgies (Sama) were born (jajiitre),

The Metres, and the Formulary (Yajur) born (ajayat) of it. 9.

Therefrom were born horses, and whatso Jbeasis have cutting teeth in both jaws.

Therefrom were born cows, and therefrom goats and sheep. 10.

When they divided (vyadadhuh) the Person, howmany-fold (katidha) did they arrange (vyakalpayan) him ?1*4

What was his mouth ? what were his arms ? how were his thighs and feet named (wcyate) ? II.

The Priest (Brahmana) was his mouth ; of his arms was made (kytah) the Ruler (Rajanya) ;

His thighs were the Merchant-folk (Vaisya) ; from his feet was born the Servant (Sudra). 12.

The Moon (Candrama) was born from his Intellect (manas) ; the Sun (Sirya) from his eye ;