[Footnote 29: This hymn is another of those that contradict the first assumption of the ritualists. From internal evidence it is not likely that it was made for baksheesh.]
[Footnote 30: [A]suras, pit[=a] nas.]
[Footnote 31: Literally, 'with ghee'; the rain is like the
ghee, or sacrificial oil (melted butter).]
[Footnote 32: Some suppose even Indra to be one with the
Avestan A[.n]dra, a demon, which is possible.]
[Footnote 33: Otherwise it is the 'bonds of sin' which are broken or loosed, as in the last verse of the first Varuna hymn, translated above. But the two views may be of equal antiquity (above, p. 69, note). On Trita compare JRAS. 1893, p. 419; PAOS. 1894 (Bloomfield).]
* * * * *
CHAPTER V.
THE RIG VEDA (CONTINUED).—THE LOWER GODS.
AGNI.
Great are the heavenly gods, but greater is Indra, god of the atmosphere. Greatest are Agni and Soma, the gods of earth.