2I6 The Religion of the Veda
The Vedic word for higher speculative discussion as a whole, and especially for the religious, mostly poetic, riddle is fireflmoefycz or firm/marzeec‘zb/e, that is, “ analysis or speculation about the Jim/line, or relig» ion.” It is very generally carried on by two priests, one of Whom asks questions, the other answers them. It is a. kind of theological “ quiz,” prearranged by the two parties: questioner and responder know their
parts to perfection. At the horsesacrifice two priests ask and answer:
“ Who, verily, moveth quite alone; who, verily, is born again and again ; whet, forsooth, is the remedy for cold ;
and what is the great (greatest) pile ” P The answer is:
“ The sun moveth quite alone ; the moon is born again and again ; Agni (fire) is the remedy for cold ; the earth
is the great (greatest) pile.” 1 The priest called Hotar asks the priest called Adhvaryu:
“ What, forsooth, is the sun~like light ; what see is there like unto the ocean; what, verily, is higher than the earth ; what is the thing whose measure is not known ” P
The answer is:
“ Brahma. is the sun-like light; heaven is theses like
z‘z‘am sf Ma Manic/i: Academy, 1875, 13. 7f: 0f the reprint ; Ludwig, Der ng- Veda, vol. iii., p. 390 f; the author, yearns! sf rim American Orimm! 5mm, vol. xv... p. 172.
1 Vijaseneyi Samhitfi. 23. 9 and m.
