The Vedic fathers of geology

GEOLOGICAL ANTIQUITY OF THE VEDAS. 65

delay or tarry long ( at fat tgur ), indicating thereby a very strong desire on the part of our ancestors to see the Sun rise, coupled with a wish that the Dawn should no more linger long on the horizon, In another place, there is a clear expression of feeling that a period of several days has elapsed between the first appearance of theDawn on the horizon and the actual rising of the Sun which followed it (arate aeer-area या पाचीनखदिता ख्यस्य । 276-४९१९६. ए. 76.3). But to crown the whole, we see our Vedic Rishis calling the Dawn everlasting, and saying that “ the (०५९७३ ( उषस्‌ ) Ushas dawned continually or perpetually in former days” ( शश्वत्‌ पुरोषा व्युवास gat! R. V. J. 113.13). Andas the Dawns appeared every time they were seen, new and young again, with shining splendour and surpassing brilhaney (ear aear gaaat wardt: ), for days and months together continuously, the phenomenon haying been new, and such as was never observed by our ancestors of old before, while they were in their Mother-land A’ryAvarta, it naturally created astonishment in their minds, and in wonder said, “ the great divinity of the Gods is unique” ( महदेवानामसुरत्वमेकमर ॥ RigVeda. IIT. 55. 16 ).

We also find indisputable evidence in the Rig-Veda of long days and nights, as one pas-