The Arctic Home in the Vedas c7.25.1

c7.25.1

It is true, that the statement, or anything similar to it, is not found in the Rig-Veda; but it will be shewn later on that there are many other passages in the Rig-Veda which go to corroborate this statement in a remarkable way by referring to other Polar characteristics. I may, however, mention here the fact that the oldest Vedic year appears to have been divided only into two portions, the Devayâna and the Pitṛiyâna, which originally corresponded with the Uttarâyaṇa and the Dakṣhiṇâyana, or the day and the night of the Gods. The word Devayâna occurs several times in the Rig-Veda Saṁhitâ, and denotes the path of the Gods.' Thus in the Rig-Veda, I, 72, 7 Agni is said to be cognizant of the Devayâna road, and in Rig. I, 183, 6, and 184, 6, the poet says, "We have, O Ashvins! reached the end of darkness; now come to us by the Devayâna road."² In VII, 76, 2, we again read, "The Devayâna path has become visible to me ... The banner of the Dawn has appeared in the east." Passages like these clearly indicate that the road of the Devayâna commenced at the rise of the Dawn, or after the end of darkness; and that it was the road by which Agni, Ashvins, Ushas, Sûrya and other matutinal deities travelled during their heavenly course.