Vedic Mythology c5.s2.t2.4

c5.s2.t2.4

There are a few obscure passages in late hymns which hardly shed any further light on the character of Mātariśvan. In two of these he seems to be regarded as purifying and enjoying Soma (9, 67³¹; 10, 114¹); and in another, he is mentioned in an enumeration of Fathers beside whom Indra drank Soma (Vāl. 4²). Indra is once compared with him as with a skilful artificer (10, 105⁶), probably in allusion to Mātariśvan's skill in producing Agni (cp. 10, 46⁹, where the same verb *takṣ* is used). This notion of skill is probably also present in a verse of the wedding hymn (10, 85⁴⁷), where Mātariśvan is invoked along with other deities to join the hearts of two lovers (cp. Tvaṣṭṛ, § 38). Finally, in a very obscure verse (10, 109¹) Mātariśvan is spoken of as 'boundless' and 'wandering' (*salila*, an adjective several times used with *vāta* in the AV.), attributes which possibly already represent the conception of Mātariśvan to be found in later times.