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

CHAPTER IX. VEDIC MYTHS—THE CAPTIVE WATERS. Direct evidence for the Arctic theory summed up—Different na- ture of the mythological evidence—Schools of mythological interpretation—The naturalistic or the Nairukta school—Its theories—The Dawn theory and the myths explained by it —The Storm theory, Indra and Vritra—The Vernal theory, the Ashvins' exploits—Vritra's legend usually explained by the Storm theory—Simultaneous effects of Indra's conquest over Vritra—The release of waters, the release of cows, the recovery of the dawn and the production of the sun—Vedic authorities in support of their simultaneous character —Passages relating to the place and time of the conflict —The simultaneous nature left unexplained by the Dawn or the Storm theory—Battle not fought in the atmosphere above, as implied by the Storm theory—Nor in the rainy season —Misinterpretation of words like parvata, giri, adri, &c. —The Storm theory inadequate in every respect—New ex- planation necessary—The real nature of waters explained— They are aerial or celestial waters, and not the waters of rain —Vedic bards knew of a region 'below the three earths' —The contrary view of Wallis refuted—The real meaning of rajas, Nir-riti, ardhau and samudram explained—Cosmic circu- lation of aerial waters—Nether world, the home of aerial waters—Avestic passages describing the circulation of waters cited and explained—Sarasvatî and Ardvi Sûra Anâhita are celestial rivers—The source of all plants and rain—The real nature of Vritra's fight—Simultaneous release of waters and light is intelligible, if both have the same source—Both stopped by Vritra's encompassing the waters in the lower world—The closing of the apertures in the mountains (parvatas) on the horizon—The movement of the waters and the sun co-related—Express passages from the Avesta to that effect—The sun stopping for a long time in waters —Avestic passages in support thereof—Its effect on the disposal of corpses—Darkness synchronous with the cessation of the flow of waters in winter—Its long duration—Cosmic circulation of waters in other mythologies—Express