East Europe as a proto-homeland of the Indo-Europeans - страница 6

Polar night in summer. Kola Peninsula

Polar night in summer. Urals

Polar day in winter

How could people living far from the north sing the dawn with these words:

«1. Here came the light of light, the best of all

A bright harbinger was born, (spreading far).

How (herself) she is brought to life by the prompting of Savitar. (of the sun)

So the night gave way to Ushas. (Dawn)

8. She follows the crowd of past (dawn),

The first of the coming in a continuous series,

Brightly blazing, Ushas raises (all living things)

But never arouses the dead.

11. Gone are those that have seen

As the older Ushas ignites

This is to us now she appeared firsthand

They go too; who will see her in future times.

12. Disgusting hostility, keeping the law, born in the law, Supportive, summoning rich gifts.

An omen that invites the gods:

Here, Ushas, light up today, O best!

14. She flashed with ornaments, on the threshold of heaven.

The goddess took off her black outfit.

Awakening (all creatures), on scarlet horses

The goddess arrives in a chariot

In which it is easy to harness the horses.

15. Bringing the coveted gifts that give prosperity,

She raises a bright banner, making herself felt.

The last of the past in a continuous succession!

The first of the brightly sparkling, shone Ushas.

16. Get up! Living life spirit found on us.

The darkness has gone away, the light is approaching.

She cleared the way for the sun to move.

We have come (there), where they extend the life span.» (RV. I.113).

Or: «I. From the dark (space) has risen

noble huge – (goddess)

Caring for a human settlement.

6. Flaming lights rose.

The coveted blessings hidden in the darkness —

Sparkling dawns make them visible. (R.V. I.123).

4. Like a fly waking the sleeping,

She came first of all who came,

Continuously changing.

6. Here she shows herself, the very first of many.

9. Let these new morning dawns now, as before

Wealth and good days will shine upon us.» (RVI.124).

Turning to the goddess Dawn, the ancient Rigveda hymn singers constantly emphasized those new continuous dawns had come, foreshadowing the coming of the sun. Anthems read:»

I. When the morning light comes on…

6. We have reached the other side of this darkness.» (RVI.184).

They chant «All mornings, when continuous dawns were lit» (PB. I.171), and they say:

«In truth, it has been many days,