Art. I.—Contributions to a Knowledge of the Vedic Theogony and Mythology. No. II

Abstract

The Aṣvins seem to have been a puzzle even to the oldest Indian Commentators. Yâska thus refers to them in the Nirukta, xii. 1: “Next in order are the deities whose sphere is the heaven; of these the Aṣvins are the first to arrive. They are called Aṣvins, because they pervade (vyaṣnuvāte) everything, the one with moisture, the other with light. Aurṇabhâva says they are called Aṣvins, from the horses (aṣvaiḥ, on which they ride). Who, then, are these Aṣvins ? ‘Heaven and Earth,’ say some; ‘Day and Night,’ say others; ‘The Sun and Moon,’ say others; ‘Two kings, performers of holy acts,’ say the legendary writers.