Vedic Mythology c5.s2.t2.3

c5.s2.t2.3

Elsewhere Mātariśvan is distinguished from Agni. ‘He (Agni) being born in the highest heavens appeared to Mātariśvan’ (1, 143²). ‘Agni first appeared to Mātariśvan and Vivasvat; the two worlds trembled at the choosing of the priest’ (1, 31³). ‘Agni being the highest of the luminaries has supported with his flame the firmament, when Mātariśvan kindled the oblation-bearer who was concealed’ (3, 5¹⁰). This verse follows one in which Agni is directly called Mātariśvan. The only explanation of such a discrepancy in contiguous verses of the same hymn, seems to be that the name of a specific personification of Agni in the latter verse is used as an epithet of the generic Agni in the former. Mātariśvan brought to Bhṛgu as a gift the glorious offerer, the banner of the sacrificial gathering, the messenger who has two births (1, 60¹). Mātariśvan brought the one (Agni) from the sky, the eagle wrested the other (Soma) from the rock (1, 93⁶). Mātariśvan brought Agni the adorable priest, the dweller in heaven (3, 2¹³). Mātariśvan (and) the gods fashioned Agni, whom the Bhṛgus produced, as the first adorable (priest) for man (10, 46⁹). Him, the god, Mātariśvan has brought from afar for man (1, 128²). Mātariśvan, the messenger of Vivasvat, brought hither from afar Agni Vaiśvānara, whom the mighty seized in the lap of the waters (6, 8⁴). Mātariśvan brought from afar the hidden Agni, produced by friction, from the gods (3, 9⁵). Mātariśvan produced by friction the hidden Agni (1, 141³). Agni was produced with friction by Mātariśvan and was set up in human abodes (1, 71⁴. 148¹). Indra produced cows for Trita from the dragon and delivered the cowstalls to Dadhyañc (and) Mātariśvan (10, 48²).