The Religion of the Veda: The Ancient Religion of India (from Rig-Veda to Upanishads) c8.24

c8.24

Even the most stalwart sceptics in this field have not found it in their hearts to deny the connection of these divinities and their female relative with the Dioscuri, the "Sons of Zeus," Castor and Pollux (Poludeukes), and their sister Helena. The name of the Açvins' mother Saraṇyū may, according to a suggestion of Professor E. W. Fay, in its first two syllables contain the sound for sound equivalent of the two first syllables of Helena. The connection with horses, expressed in the name of the Açvins (*açva*, "horse"), comes out more strongly with the Dioscuri, who are celebrated tamers of horses, riders of horses, and charioteers. The Dioscuri also were revered as helpers in need, and therefore were called Anaktes, "protecting lords."