Note [4:1:13:3]3. The cows in this myth seem to be a mythical representation of the dawns. Comp. M. M., Science of Language, II, p. 584; H. O., Religion des Veda, pp. 147, 149 seq.

Verse 14.

Note [4:1:14:1]1. Pasvayantra (comp. slokayantra, IX, 73, 6) is quite doubtful. Does there exist a stem pasva, meaning possibly, 'the herd of cattle'? And can we translate, they who had their (battering-?) machines directed on the cow-herds'? Or, 'holding the herds with their instruments (i. e. with the ropes used for drawing the cows out of the cavern)'?--Prof. Max Muller suggests the translation, 'the cattle-drivers,' and writes, 'Does it stand for pasu-yantrasah?

[paragraph continues] Yantra seems the same as yoktra, or something like it, cf. X, 94, 7, 8. Pasuyantra would be they who hold the ropes of the cattle, who drive them away.' Bergaigne's translation, 'n'ayant rien (d'autre) pour conduire le betail' (pasu-ayantra), and that of Roth ('die der Sperre ledigen Thiere [pasvah ayantrasah] erhoben ein Freudengeschrei,' Zeitschr. der D. Morg. Gesellschaft, XLVIII, 678), do not carry conviction, nor does a conjecture like pasva' yanta'rah ('the leaders of the cattle together with the cattle itself shouted triumphantly'), seem to furnish a satisfying solution of the difficulty.

Note [4:1:14:2]2. See Geldner, Vedische Studien, I, 120.

Verse 15.

Note [4:1:15:1]1. On the Usigs, compare Bergaigne's Religion Vedique, I, 57 seq.

Verse 16.

Note [4:1:16:1]1. The mother seems again to be the cow, or more exactly the Dawn considered as the mother of the cows (mata' gavam, IV, 52, 2. 3; VII, 77, 2), and as the mother of the Rishis (IV, 2, 15). Comp. V, 45, 2. a' urva't gavam mata' ganati' gat. The seven names of the cow are mentioned also in I, 164, 3, its three times seven names, in VII, 87, 4.

Note [4:1:16:2]2. Bergaigne (Quarante Hymnes, p. 14) and Pischel (Ved. Studien, II, 121 seq.) give to the word vra the meaning 'woman' (Bergaigne: 'femme,' particulierement 'femme en rut,' 'femme amoureuse'). I prefer to follow the opinion of Bechtel, Nachrichten der Gottinger Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften, philolog.-historische Klasse, 1894, p. 393 seq. The hosts seem to be the assembly of the Rishis.

Note [4:1:16:3]3. The dawn.

Note [4:1:16:4]4. Comp. IX, 81, 1 (H. O., Religion des Veda, p. 147, note 1). dadhna' yat im unnitah yasasa gavam, 'When (the Somas) have been drawn, together with the brilliant curds of the cow.' The brilliant milk of the cow which the

[paragraph continues] Rishis have obtained, seems to be considered as a magical means for procuring to men the aspect of the brilliant light of the dawn. Comp. H. O., Religion des Veda, p. 450.

Verse 17.