In the two hymns following, one from the most ancient of Hindoo books, the “Rig Veda,” and one from a still more ancient Egyptian book called “The Book of the Dead,” there is quite a contrast, though they both represent myths in the highly developed religious form of hymns or songs to the gods. The Hindoo song sings the praises of Indra, while the Egyptian song is a prayer. Rā, who is mentioned, was the God of the Sun in Egypt.
Instead of driving steeds as many other sun-gods did, he was said to ride in a boat. But according to this hymn, there were four sacred apes in the boat, to whom the ancient Egyptians offered prayers as they did to the sacred bulls Apis and Mnevis.
HYMNS TO INDRA
(From the “Rig Veda”)
I will declare the manly deeds of Indra, the first that he achieved, the thunder-wielder.
He slew the dragon, then disclosed the waters, and cleft the channels of the mountain torrents.
He slew the dragon lying on the mountain; his heavenly bolt of thunder Twashtar fashioned.
Like lowing kine in rapid flow descending the waters glided downward to the ocean.
Impetuous as a bull, he chose the Soma, and quaffed in threefold sacrifice the juices.
Maghavan grasped the thunder for his weapon, and smote to death this first born of the dragons.