[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Religion and philosophy](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.religion) › [The Religion of the Veda: The Ancient Religion of India (from Rig-Veda to Upanishads)](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.religion.bloomfield-1908) › c9.53 # The Religion of the Veda: The Ancient Religion of India (from Rig-Veda to Upanishads) c9.53 The Religion of the Veda: The Ancient Religion of India (from Rig-Veda to Upanishads) c9.53 - **Language:** English ### [c9.53](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.religion.bloomfield-1908.c9.53) I choose as the second example of a translucent god, the shepherd god Pūshan. His chief claim to usefulness is that he knows the roadways; protects from their dangers, such as wolves and robbers; guards cattle, so that they be not dashed to pieces in the ravine; brings them home unhurt when they have gone astray; and, in general, restores lost things. Pūshan personally drives the cows to pasture; he weaves the sheeps' dresses, and smoothes their coats; he carries a goad, and his car is drawn by goats. And seeing that he lives on mush or gruel, whereas the other gods revel in \*soma\* or ghee, his bucolic nature is pretty clear. His name means "Prospero," which may, of course, be the epithet of any benevolent god, and therefore veils rather than tells his particular character. - [Previous: c9.52](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.religion.bloomfield-1908.c9.52) - [Next: c9.54](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.religion.bloomfield-1908.c9.54) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.religion.bloomfield-1908.c9) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.religion.bloomfield-1908.c9.53](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.religion.bloomfield-1908.c9.53) · Pramāṇa