The Vedic fathers of geology

66 Tae Vepic Fataers or GroLocy.

sage therein expressly says that, “the Sun extended his daily course to an unusual length ( दीघं ततान स्यो न योजनभ्‌। “-4y—4; Rig-VedaY. 54-5 ). In another place, there is still stronger testimony, as it clearly indicates that, “ the Sum unyoked his carin the midst of heaven, and the A’rya, ( that is Indra, the friend, supporter, and the God of Gods of the Indo-A’ryans ), found a counter-measure ( sfaataa) for the Dasa,” the enemy of the Aryas and the creator of darkness. As the verse is very important for our purpose, I quote it here below :fa Bal wee अखचद्रथं विदददासाय प्रतिमानसार्यः। CR. Y. X. 138.3 )

Griffith renders this into English as follows :—“In the midway of heaven, the Sun unyoked his car: the Arya founda match to meet his Dasa foe”.

There are also verses in the Rzg-Veda which unmistakably indicate long, very long, nay too lone nights, that lasted for days and months together. For, in ( I. 46.6), the Ashwins seem to be requested to youchsafe such strength to the poet and the worshipper, as may carry him through the darkness. ( या नः पीपरदश्विना ज्योतिष्मती तमस्तिरः। ). While in ( IL. 27.14), the poet says, “May I obtain the wide fearless light, oh Indra! May not the