[84] Wilson, Rig Veda, Maṇḍala ii., xxxiii., 4.
[85] Ib., Maṇḍala v., x. (xlii.), 11.
Apollo the far-darter, Artemis the goddess of the silver bow, also shared these same attributes, and Grecian legend would lead us to place them in the same part of the heavens as that allotted to Chiron—i.e., Sagittarius. Apollo prompted Artemis to aim a shaft from her bow at a point on the horizon, and this point was the head of the hunter Orion. Now the constellation Orion is exactly in opposition to the bow stars of Sagittarius; that the legend is astronomical is plainly to be inferred from its variant form, in which Artemis is represented as sending a Scorpion to sting Orion to death. The stars marking the Scorpion’s sting are in very close proximity to the bow stars of Sagittarius.
Returning to Indian myths, the name of Siva does not occur in the Rig Veda; but in later Sanscrit works Siva is the representative of Rudra. In a hymn to Siva,[86] the following passages occur, and it is difficult to read them and not be reminded of the sculptured figures of Artemis, crescent-crowned and leading a stag by the horns. (Allowance must be made, however, for the tendency in Hindu art to multiply the heads, arms, and features of their gods.)
[86] Hymn to Siva, prefixed to “An Exposition of the Principles of Sanskrit Logic,” by Bodhanundánath Swami, Calcutta.
“I worship the great Mahesa, who shines like ten million suns: who is adorned with triple eyes: who is crowned with the moon: who is armed with the trident, the bow, the mace, the discus, the goad, and the noose:
Who is the eternal Lord;
Who is bright as the snowy summit of Mount Kailáçe; whose matted hair is ablaze with the crescent moon;
.... ...
Whose hands hold the head of a deer and a battle-axe;