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Vedic Mythology c9.s2: § 73. Heaven

Vedic Mythology c9.s2

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§ 73. Heaven

c9.s2.1

The abode where the Fathers and Yama dwell, is situated in the midst of the sky (10, 15¹⁴), in the highest heaven (10, 14⁸), in the third heaven, the inmost recess of the sky, where is eternal light (9, 113⁷⁻⁹). The AV. also speaks of it as the highest (11, 4¹¹), luminous world (4, 34²), the ridge of the firmament (18, 2⁴⁷), the third firmament (9, 5¹·⁸; 18, 4³), and the third heaven (18, 2⁴⁸). In the MS. (1, 10¹⁸; 2, 3⁹) the abode of the Fathers is said to be the third world¹. The abode of the Fathers is in the RV. also spoken of as the highest point of the sun (9, 113⁹). The Fathers are united with or guard the sun (10, 107². 154⁵), or are connected with the rays of the sun (1, 109⁷; cp. ŚB. 1, 9, 3¹⁰)², and suns shine for them in heaven (1, 125⁶). They are connected with the step of Viṣṇu (10, 15³), and pious men are said to rejoice in the dear abode, the highest step of Viṣṇu (1, 154⁵). As Viṣṇu took his three steps to where the gods are exhilerated³, so the sun follows the Dawn to where pious men offer sacrifice⁴.

c9.s2.2

⁴ Windisch, FaB. 118. —

c9.s2.3

Stars are also said to be the lights of virtuous men who go to the heavenly world (TS. 5, 4, 1³; ŚB. 6, 5, 4⁸), and ancient men, especially the seven Ṛṣis, besides Atri and Agastya, are said to have been raised to the stars (TA. 1, 11, 1²)⁵.

c9.s2.4

² JAOS. 16, 27. —

c9.s2.5

⁵ Weber, Nakṣatra 2, 269; KRV. note 286.

c9.s2.6

The RV. mentions a tree beside which Yama drinks with the gods (10, 135¹). This according to the AV. (5, 4³) is a fig-tree where the gods abide in the third heaven (no mention being made of Yama).

c9.s2.7

¹ PVS. 1, 211. —

c9.s2.8

³ Cp. Macdonell, JRAS. 27, 172. —

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