manner (the gods) formed the worlds. 15. When the gods, performing sacrifice, bound Purusha as a victim, there were seven sticks (stuck up) for it (around the fire), and thrice seven pieces of fuel were made. 16. With sacrifice the gods performed the sacrifice. These were the earliest rites. These great powers have sought the sky, where are the former Sādhyas, gods" (O. S. T., vol. i. p. 9.—Rig-Veda, x. 90).
The wide interval which separates theological theories of
this kind from the primitive hymns to the old polytheistic
gods, is also marked by a tendency to personify abstract intellectual
conceptions, and to confer exalted attributes upon them.
Skambha, or Support, mentioned above; Kâla, Time, celebrated
in the Atharva-Veda; Speech, endowed with personal powers in
the tenth book of the Rig-Veda; Wisdom, to whom prayer is
offered in the Atharva-Veda, are instances of this generalizing
tendency. As a specimen, the hymn to Wisdom may be taken,
and readers may console themselves with the reflection that it
is our last quotation from the Mantra part of the Veda:—
1. "Come to us, wisdom, the first, with cows and horses; (come)
thou with the rays of the sun; thou art to us an object of worship. 2.
To (obtain) the succor of the gods, I invoke wisdom the first, full of
prayer, inspired by prayer, praised by rishis, imbibed by Brahmachārins.
3. We introduce within me that wisdom which Ribhus know,
that wisdom which divine beings (asurāh) know, that excellent wisdom
which rishis know. 4. Make me, O Agni, wise to-day with that wisdom
which the wise rishis—the makers of things existing—know. 5. We
introduce wisdom in the evening, wisdom in the morning, wisdom at
noon, wisdom with the rays of the sun, and with speech" (O. S. T.,
vol, i. p. 255 note.—Atharva-Veda, vi. 108).
Interesting as the Mantra of the Vedas is from the fact of
its being the oldest Bible of the Aryan race, it is impossible
for modern readers to feel much enthusiasm for its contents.
The patient labor of these scholars who have engaged in translations
of some parts of it for the benefit of European readers
is highly commendable, but it is probable that few who have
read any considerable number of these hymns will be desirous
of a further acquaintance with them, unless for the purpose of
some special researches. Indeed, it may be said that the
