The Orion, or Researches into the Antiquity of the Vedas c11.102

c11.102

VERSE 23.—Sâyaṇa translates, "O arrow! Manu's daughter, named Parshu, gave birth to twenty (sons) together. Let her whose belly was big be happy! Indra is in the upper (portion) of the universe." I cannot, however, understand what it means. Parshu, according to Sâyaṇa, is a Mrigî or a female antelope. But why address the arrow to give happiness to her? Can it have any reference to the arrow with which Orion was killed? Then who are these twenty sons? Are they the same as twenty mentioned in verse 14? Is it likely that twenty alone are mentioned leaving the additional fifteen to be understood from the context? The concluding verse undoubtedly appears to be benedictory. But I have not found a satisfactory solution of the above questions. Perhaps *bhala* meaning 'auspicious,' may be used for Vrishâkapi, and Indra addressing him pronounces benediction on the female that gave birth to the yellow antelope and several other stars that are supposed to be either killed or swallowed by Indra in this hymn. But I cannot speak with certainty on the point and must leave the verse as it is.