Written by London Swaminathan

Date: 22 October 2017

Time uploaded in London- 16-35

Post No. 4326

Pictures shown here are taken from various sources such as Facebook friends, Books, Google and newspapers; thanks.

There are strange stories about the appearance of animals and the origin of animals and birds in the Brahmana literature.

The reddish appearance of a white horse’s mouth is explained as follows:-

“Agni went away from the gods; he entered the water. The gods said to Prajapati: Go thou in search of him; to thee, his own father, he will reveal himself He became a white horse, and went in search of him. He found him on a lotus, having crept forth from the water. He eyed him, and Agni scorched him.  Hence the white horse has, as it were, a scorched or reddish mouth, and indeed is apt to be weak-eyed. Agni thought he had hit and hurt him, and said to him, ‘I grant thee a boon’.

–Satapata Brahmana,7-3-2-14

Agni’s mark is also on the shoulder of the Ox:

“For such a one (as an ox) is of Agni’s nature, since its shoulder (bearing the yoke) is as if burnt by fire.”

–Satapata Brahmana,4-5-1-15

“The Asuras persecuted the Devas and came into contact with them. The Devas turned horses (asva) and kicked them with their feet. Thence the horses are called ‘asva’ from ‘as’ to reach. He who obtains this knowledge obtains all he desires. Thence the horse is the swiftest of animals because of its kicking with the hind legs. He who has such a knowledge destroys the consequences of guilt”

–Aitareya Brahmana Vol.1 (Haug’s Vol.2, page 319)

This was the more necessary because animals, and even plants avenged in a future existence injuries inflicted on them in this life—Satapata Brahmana, 11-6-1-1

The origin of some of the birds and quadrupeds is explained in the following texts:-

“Tvashtri had a three-headed, six eyed son. He had three mouths, and because he was thus shaped, he was called Visva-Rupa (all shape). One of his mouths was Soma-drinking, one spirit-drinking, and one for other food. Indra hated him, and cut off those heads of his. And from the one which was Soma-drinking, a hazel cock sprang forth; hence the latter is of brownish colour, for King Soma is brown. And one which was spirit-drinking, a sparrow sprang; hence the latter talks like one who is joyful, for one who has drank spirits, one talks as one who enjoys himself; And from one which was for other kinds of food, a partridge sprang; whence the latter is exceedingly variegated; ghee-drops have, as it were, dropped on his wings, in one place, and honey drops, as it were, on another; for such like was the food he consumed with that mouth” — –Satapata Brahmana,5-5-4-12

Origin of Lion, Wolf and Trees

“Indra, uninvited, consumed what pure Soma there was in the tub, as the stronger would consume the food for the weaker. But it hurt him; it flowed in all directions from the opening of his vital airs; only from his mouth it did not flow. From what flowed from the nose a lion sprang; and from what flowed from the ears a wolf sprang; and from what flowed from the lower opening wild beasts sprang, with the tiger as their foremost; and what flowed from the upper opening (top of the head whence the soul issues at death), that was foaming spirit. And thrice he spat out; thence were produced the fruits called Kuvala, Karkandu and Badara, three different species of the Jujube tree). Indra became emptied out of everything, for Soma is everything. Being thus purged by Soma

he walked about, as one tottering. The Aswins cured him by this offering… By offering he indeed became better.”

–Satapata Brahmana,5-5-4-8

My Comments:–

These stories are like stories told by the illiterate tribes living in the remotest parts of the forest or hills. But unless they have hidden meanings they would not have survived from 1000 BCE. More over along with such stories we have very high thoughts, big numbers in mathematical order, information about 27 stars, linguistics etc. So we have to do more research into their statements. Foreigners called these writings, silly, childish and gibberish. But Hindus value them as mantras (holy spells or magic spells).

–Subham–