A History of Hindu Political Theories from the Earliest Times to the End of the First Quarter of the Seventeenth Century A.D. c7.88

c7.88

† Compare the following extracts from the hymns above mentioned, Av. V, 17, 1-2 : “These spoke first at the offence against the Brāhmaṇa (brahman) ; the boundless sea, Mātariśvan, he of stout rage (haras), formidable fervour, the kindly one, the heavenly waters, first-born of right (ṛita). King Soma first gave back the Brāhmaṇa’s wife, not bearing enmity ; he who went after (her) was Varuṇa, Mitra ; Agni, invoker, conducted (her) hither, seizing her hand.” H. O. R. Vol. VII, p. 248 ; Av. V. 18. 6 : “The Brāhmaṇa is not to be injured, like fire, by one who holds himself dear ; for Soma is his heir, Indra his protector against imprecation ;” Av. V. 18. 14 : “Agni verily our guide, Soma is called (our) heir, Indra slayer of imprecation (?) : so know the devout that” Ibid pp. 251-252 ; Av. V. 19. 10. “King Varuṇa called that a god-made poison ; no one so-ever, having devoured the cow of the Brāhmaṇa, keeps watch in the kingdom.” Ibid, p. 254.