Page 405 - Lokmanya Tilak Samagra (khand 2)

CHAPTER IX

VEDIC MYTHS- THE CAPTIVE WATERS

Direct evidence for the Arctic theory summed up-Different nature
of the mythological evidence-Schools of mythological interpretation-
The naturalistic .or the Nairukta school-Its theories-The Dawn theory
and the myths explained by it-The Storm theory, lndra and Vritra-
The Vernal theory, the Ashvin's exploits-Vritra's legend usually ex-
plained by the Storm theory-Simultaneous effects ol Indra's conquest
over Vritra-The release of waters, the release of cows, the recovery of
the dawn and the production of the sun-Vedic authorities in support of
their simultaneous character-Passages relating to the place and time
of the conflict-The simultaneous nature left unexplained by the
Dawn or the Storm theory-Battle not fought in the atmosphere above
as implied by the Storm theory-Nor in the rainy season-Misinterpre-
tation of words like jal'vata, giri, adl'i etc.-The Storm theory inadequate
in every respect-New explanation necessary-The real nature of waters
explained-They are aerial or celestial waters, and not the waters of
rain-Vedic bards knew of a region 'below the three earths'-The
contrary view of Wallis refuted-The real meaning of lcZ}tls, Nir-riti,
ardhau and samudram explained-Cosmic circulation of aerial waters-
Nether world, the home of aerial waters-Avestic passages describing
the circulation of waters cited and explained-Sarasvati and Ardvi Stira
Anahi ta are celestial rivers- Th~ source of all plants and rain-The
real nature of Vritra's fight-Simultaneous release of waters and light
is intelligible, if both have the same source-Both stopped by Vritra's
encompassing the waters in the lower world-The closing of the
apertures in the mountains (pmvatas ) on the honzon-The movement of
the waters and the sun co-related-Express passages from the Avesta to
that effect-The sun stopping for a long time in waters-.-\sestic passages
in support thereof-Its efl"ect on the disposal of corpses-Darkness
synchronous with the cessation of the flow of waters in winter-Its long
duration-Cosmic circulation of waters in other mythologies-Express
texts showing that the fight with Vritra was annual and fought in winter
-Inexplicable except on the Arctic theory-The exact date of Indra's
fight with Vritra preserved in the ~ig-Veda-The real meaning of
c!J"tvanmshYam sliaradi explained-Shambara found on the 40th day of
ShMad-Denotes the commencement of the long night-Vedic passages
s hawing Sharad to be the last season of sunshine-Paleographical
evidence for reckoning time by seasons-Similar reckoning in the
Avesta-Ioo autumnal forts of Yritra and killing of the watery demon