History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c71.s1.124

v5.c71.s1.124

It has already been shown above how the sages of the Ṛgveda prayed to the gods, particularly to Aditi, Mitra, Varuṇa, the Ādityas and Agni to free them from *āgas* or *enas* etc. They often say that they violated the *dharmas* or the *vratas* (ordinances) of the gods and implore forgiveness They were afraid of the consequences of their guilt, viz. the god's anger. They thought that when God was angered by their transgressions he smote them with adversity, destruction, disease and death. For example, they pray 'whatever ordinance (*vrata*) of yours we may violate every day like subjects (in the case of a king's ordinances) do not subject us to your death-dealing blow' (Ṛg I. 25 2), 'O Varuṇa! whatever transgression we men have committed towards the divine host and whatever rules of yours we may have confounded through heedlessness, do not, on account of that sin (*enas*), 'strike us down' (Rg. VII. 89.5)⁸⁸. In Ṛg X. 89.8-9 it is said that Indra hurls his sharp and deadly weapon at those who break the settled order (dharman) of Mitra, Varuṇa and Aryaman. The gods are implored to save the worshipper from the deadly attacks of the wolf and from sinking into a pit (in adversity) in Ṛg. II. 29.6. In Ṛg. IX. 73.8 it is said that the wise God has his eye on all worlds and he pierces in pits those who do not observe his ordinances and who are therefore not liked by him⁸⁹. On the other hand, when God is pleased with the worshipper, he is implored to lead the latter by the path of virtue (Ṛg. I. 189.1), to confer happiness on the worshipper's offspring (Ṛg I. 189 2, IV. 12.5) and to bestow wealth on him (Ṛg VIII. 45 40).