Vedic Mythology c5.s2.t2.2

c5.s2.t2.2

Mātariśvan is a name of Agni in three passages (3, 5⁹. 26²; 1, 96⁴). This is probably also the case where the name occurs in the vocative at the end of an Agni hymn (9, 88¹⁹). In another verse, where an etymological explanation of the name is given, he is spoken of as one of the forms of Agni: ‘As heavenly germ he is called Tanūnapāt, he becomes Narāśaṁsa when he is born; when as Mātariśvan he was fashioned in his mother (*amimīta mātari*: cp. 1, 141⁵), he became the swift flight of wind’ (3, 29¹¹). It is further said elsewhere: ‘One being the wise call variously: they speak of Agni, Yama, Mātariśvan’ (1, 164⁴⁶). Once Mātariśvan is also a form of Bṛhaspati, who is several times identified with Agni (§ 36): ‘That Bṛhaspati appeared (*sam abhavat*) at the rite as Mātariśvan’ (1, 190²).