Essay name: Goddesses from the Samhitas to the Sutras
Author:
Rajeshri Goswami
Affiliation: Jadavpur University / Department of Sanskrit
This essay studies the Goddesses from the Samhitas to the Sutras. In short, this thesis examines Vedic goddesses by analyzing their images, functions, and social positions. It further details how natural and abstract elements were personified as goddesses, whose characteristics evolved with societal changes.
Chapter 1
43 (of 144)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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: 62 A few references may be noted in connection with the
role of Usasānaktā in sacrifice 1 -
انا
They are requested to sit on the barhis.
on the barhis.
It would appear
to the author that this oft-repeated invitation is most
appropriate to the poet's purpose if it figuratively
conveys the meaning a 'be present at this sacrificial
rite which is now being performed and which requires
your presence; Dawn and Night must sit down in their
proper place, and in their broad lap the gods must
eagerly take a seat (RV IX.5.6). The poet intends to
say that they are invited to be with others, the objects.
of worship. Dawn and Night must be the basis or form
the sub-stratum, on which the gods are received for
worship.
The poet of the aprihymn RV 11.3.6 emphasises
what Night and Dawn have in common and do together :
they are 'selt alters erwachsen'. (Geldner : sanátā
... ukṣite), and 'perform their excellent works
(sadhvapāmsi) like two gay (female) weavers, who are
united, weaving (until completion) the stretched warp
that is, the embroidery (ornament) of the sacrifice
(cf. VS XX # 41), "Das Bild der Buntweberin. Der
Aufzug ist die Zeit das hinein gewebte Buntmuster das
Opfer" (Geldner, op. cit, I, p. 280). So they weave
the webs of the sacrifices which are perfomed continually.
In RV IX.5.61, the soma when clarifying itself is very
desirous of Night and Dawn, just like a (male who is
desirous of) two handsomen(women). 'Als Inbegriff der
Zeit' (Geldner, op. cit., I, p. 200), they are also
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