She told the eldest son to go speedily. That elder brother himself having become the Sun, goes very speedily. For the Sun, in very truth (aettēma), there is no rest. In the little time in which the eyelids fall, the Sun goes seven gawwas,[3] they say. At the time when the Great Paddy is ripening, the Sun goes across (harahin).[4] Because it is older than the Sun,[5] the Great Paddy represents the elder sister.
Having called the younger son she said, “My son, go you in the very wind (pawanēma)[6].” That one himself having become the Moon, now goes in the wind. For the Moon in very truth there is not a difficulty, by the authority given by the Mother.
[1] A Kayiya, usually to provide help in clearing jungle, or ploughing, or reaping, for which no pay is given, but the party are fed liberally. [↑]
[2] Mā Vī, the name of the largest variety of rice. [↑]
[3] Twenty-eight miles. According to Indian reckoning of about six winks to a second, as given in the Mahā Bhārata, this would be an orbit of about 14,500,000 miles, with a diameter of 4,620,000 miles. [↑]
[4] That is, the sun rises in the latitude of the district where the story was related. This would be within a day or two of February 22. [↑]