वेदों की प्राचीनता एवं काल-निर्णय / ओरायन (लोकमान्य बाल गंगाधर तिलक - खगोलीय वैदिक शोध)

300 THE ARCTIC HOME IN THE VEDAS.
of the dawn, and rise of the sun are again spoken of as
occurring simultaneously with the appearance of the Ashvins
(I, 157, 1; VII, 72, 4); while in X, 61, 4, the time of their
appearance is said to be the early dawn when "darkness still
stands amongst the ruddy cows." Their connection with
the dawn and their appearance in the interval between dawn and
sunrise are thus taken to be clearly established; and whatever
theory we may adopt to explain the character of the Ashvins
on a physical basis, we cannot lose sight of the fact that
they are matutinal deities, bringing on the dawn or the light
of the morning along with them. The two epithets which
are peculiar to Indra, viz., Vṛitrahan, and Shata-kratu, are
applied to them (Vṛitrahantamâ, VIII, 8, 22; Shata-kratû, I, 112,
23); and in I, 182, 2, they are expressly said to possess strongly
the qualities of Indra (Indra-tamâ), and of the Maruts (Marut-
tamâ) the associates of Indra in his struggle with Vṛitra.
Nay, they are said to have protected Indra in his achievements
against Namuchi in X, 131, 4. This leaves no doubt about
their share in the Vṛitra-fight; and equally clear is their
connection with the waters of the ocean. In I, 46, 2, they are
called sindhu-mâtarâ, or having the ocean for their mother, and
their car is described as turning up from the ocean in IV, 43, 5;
while in I, 112, 13, the Ashvins in their car are said to go round
the sun in the distant region (parâvati). We also read that the
Ashvins moved the most sweet sindhu or ocean, evidently mean-
ing that they made the waters of the ocean flow forward
(I, 112, 9); and they are said to have made Rasâ, a celestial
river, swell full with water-floods, urging to victory the car
without the horse (I, 112, 12). They are also the protectors
of the great Atithigva and Divodâsa against Shambara; and
Kutsa, the favourite of Indra, is also said to have been
helped by them (I, 112, 14 and 23). In verse 18 of
the same hymn, the Ashvins are addressed as Aṅgirases,
and said to have triumphed in their hearts and went