Vedic Mythology c5.s3.t2.3

c5.s3.t2.3

He is often likened to various animals, in most cases doubtless with a view to indicating his functions rather than representing his personal form. He is frequently called a bull (1, 58⁵ &c.). He is a strong bull with a mighty neck (5, 2¹²). As such he bellows (10, 8¹), abounds in seed (4, 5³), and is provided with horns (5, 1⁸; 6, 16³⁹), which he sharpens (8, 49¹⁵), which he shakes, and which make him difficult to seize (1, 140⁶). He is many times spoken of or alluded to when born as a calf (*vatsa*). He is also often compared with (1, 58² &c.) or directly called a steed (1, 149³; 6, 12⁶)². The tail which he agitates like a horse (2, 4⁴) is doubtless his flame. When purified by sacrificers he is compared with a groomed horse (1, 60⁵ &c.). Sacrificers lead (3, 2⁷), excite, and set him in motion like a horse (7, 7¹ &c.). He is the horse they seek to tame and direct (2, 5¹; 3, 27³). He is kindled like a horse that brings the gods (3, 27¹⁴). He is attached to the pole at places of sacrifice (2, 2¹) or to the pole of the rite (1, 143⁷). He is yoked in order to waft the sacrifice to the gods (10, 51⁷). He is also compared with (3, 26³) or directly called a neighing steed (1, 36⁸). He is further likened to a horse as conquering (8, 91¹²) or causing to escape from dangers (4, 2⁸). Agni is, moreover, like a bird. He is the eagle of the sky (7, 15⁴) and a divine bird (1, 164⁵²). As dwelling in the waters he resembles the aquatic bird *haṃsa* (1, 65⁹). He takes possession of the wood as a bird perches on a tree (1, 66²; 6, 3⁵; 10, 91²). He is winged (1, 58⁵; 2, 2⁴), his course is a flight (6, 3⁷. 4⁶ &c.), and he darts with rapid flight to the gods (10, 6⁴). He is once described as a raging serpent (1, 79¹).