The Arctic Home in the Vedas c9.29

c9.29

Lastly, we have express passages in the Rig-Veda where a long day is described. In V, 54, 5, an extended daily course (dîrgham yojanam) of the sun is mentioned and the Maruts are said to have extended their strength and greatness in a similar way.² But the most explicit statement about the long day is found in X, 138, 3. This hymn celebrates the exploits of Indra, all of which are performed in aerial or heavenly regions. In the first verse the killing of Vritra, and the releasing of the dawns and the waters are mentioned; and in the second the sun is said to have been made to shine by the same process. The third verse¹ is as follows:—