Vedic Mythology c4.s1.2

c4.s1.2

The poets of the RV. often employ the metaphor of building in its various details, when speaking of the formation of the world. The act of measuring is constantly referred to. Thus Indra measured the six regions, made the wide expanse of earth and the high dome of heaven (6, 47 ³·⁴). Viṣṇu measured out the terrestrial spaces and made fast the abode on high (1, 154¹). The measuring instrument, sometimes mentioned (2, 15³; 3, 38³), is the sun, with which Varuṇa performs the act (5, 85⁵). The Fathers measured the two worlds with measuring rods and made them broad (3, 38³ cp. 1, 190²). The measurement naturally begins in front or the east. Thus Indra measured out as it were a house with measures from the front (2, 15³ cp. 7, 99²). Connected with this idea is that of spreading out the earth, an action attributed to Agni, Indra, the Maruts, and others. As the Vedic house was built of wood, the material is once or twice spoken of as timber. Thus the poet asks: 'What was the wood, what the tree out of which they fashioned heaven and earth?' (10, 31⁷ = 10, 81⁴). The answer given to this question in a Brāhmaṇa is that Brahma was the wood and the tree (TB. 2, 8, 9⁶). Heaven and earth are very often described as having been supported (*skabh* or *stabh*) with posts (*skambha* or *skambhana*), but the sky is said to be rafterless (2, 15²; 4, 56³; 10, 149¹), and that it never falls is a source of wonder (5, 29⁴; 6, 17⁷; 8, 45⁶). The framework of a door is called *ātā*; in such a frame of heaven Indra fixed the air (1, 56⁵). The doors of the cosmic house are the portals of the east through which the morning light enters (1, 113⁴; 4, 51²; 5, 45¹). Foundations are sometimes alluded to. Thus Savitṛ made fast the earth with bands (10, 149¹), Viṣṇu fixed it with pegs (7, 99³), and Bṛhaspati supports its ends (4, 50¹ cp. 10, 89¹). The agents in the construction of the world are either the gods in general or various individual gods; but where special professional skill seemed to be required in details, Tvaṣṭṛ, the divine carpenter, or the deft-handed Ṛbhus are mentioned. Little is said as to their motive; but as man builds his house to live in, so of Viṣṇu at least it is indicated that he measured or stretched out the regions as an abode for man (6, 49¹³. 69⁵, cp. 1, 155⁴).