of day or night. But THAT ONE breathed calmly[41] alone with Nature,
her who is sustained within him. Other than Him, nothing existed
[which] since [has been]. Darkness there was; [for] this universe was
enveloped with darkness, and was indistinguishable waters; but that
mass, which was covered by the husk, was [at length] produced by the
power of contemplation. First desire[42] was formed in his mind; and
that became the original productive seed; which the wise, recognizing
it by the intellect in their hearts, distinguish as the bond of
non-entity with entity.

"Did the luminous ray of these [creative acts] expand in the middle, or
above, or below? That productive energy became providence [or sentient
souls], and matter [or the elements]; Nature, who is sustained within,
was inferior; and he who sustains was above.

"Who knows exactly, and who shall in this world declare, whence and why
this creation took place? The gods are subsequent to the production of
this world: then who can know whence it proceeded, or whence this
varied world arose, or whether it upholds [itself] or not? He who in
the highest heaven is the ruler of this universe,--he knows, or does
not know."

If the following hymn, says Mueller, were addressed only to the Almighty,
omitting the word "Varuna," it would not disturb us in a Christian
Liturgy:--

1. "Let me not yet, O Varuna, enter into the house of clay; have mercy,
almighty, have mercy.

2. "If I go along trembling, like a cloud driven by the wind, have
mercy, almighty, have mercy!

3. "Through want of strength, thou strong and bright god, have I gone
to the wrong shore; have mercy, almighty, have mercy!

4. "Thirst came upon the worshipper, though he stood in the midst of
the waters; have mercy, almighty, have mercy!

5. "Whenever we men, O Varuna, commit an offence before the heavenly
host; whenever we break thy law through thoughtlessness; have mercy,
almighty, have mercy!"

Out of a large number of hymns addressed to Indra, Mueller selects one that
is ascribed to Vasishtha.

1. "Let no one, not even those who worship thee, delay thee far from
us! Even from afar come to our feast! Or, if thou art here, listen to
us!

2. "For these who here make prayers for thee, sit together near the
libation, like flies round the honey. The worshippers, anxious for
wealth, have placed