Lexicon of Rig Veda

Lexicon

of Rig Veda

This word – besides its usual meaning, body – often is used as an allusion to the hymn that gives embodiment to the chanted god, for example: in soma (i.e. in offering-hymn) do hold well born embodiment, 3.51.11; they wished semen in bodies, 1.68.8, they set in movement well born forms, 1.72.3, they created their own forms, 1.72.5; I declare thy embodiment, O Agni. 1.147.2. Then, O Maruts, the hymn delighted me, Indra, when for me you have made the heard wisdom-word, for my embodiment by your embodiments, 1.165.11. This hymn is for you, O Maruts, you came with impelling force for embodiment, 1.165.15; thou, born from the Truth, O Agni, will extend for the body protection from anyone wishing to blame, 1.189.6, for continually we perform the sacrifice to the gods by embodiment-hymn, 1.26.6 etc. It is in this meaning are epithets of gods such as “son of the body”, “forming the body” and so on.