Lexicon of Rig Veda

Lexicon

of Rig Veda

Presumably, the image symbolizes one of the five human types, the one whose consciousness is most active on four levels: physical, vital, mental and even intuitive. Since the image is an allusion to an animal, this type seems to be the lowest of the five types. Above is a three-legged, then a bipedal, then a bird, then a one-legged (see 10.117.8). However, even this four-legged, along with the bipedal, is ready to rush to goals that the animal does not seek: Dawn prompts the bipedal and four-legged to go according to the laws of Truth to the limits of Heaven (1.49.3); let the soma make for us,– for the two footed and for the four-legged,– the free from disease impelling forces (3.62.14); Savitri has urged two-footed forward to goal, four-footed forward for movement (1.124.1); Indra has established Heaven for four-footed, for manly one, for two-footed (1.121.3). Divine Dawns encourage all creatures, bipedal, four-legged, all living, to move (4.51.5). Repeatedly, the poet asks for peace for bipedal and four-legged: let peace be for the two-footed, for the four-footed, faultless, altogether increased in these peoples (1.114.1); Oh gods, for both our peoples, for the bipedal and for the four-legged, spread the peace (10.037.11). The three-wheeled chariot of the Aswins would bring us a joyful peace for the bipedal, for the four-legged (1.157.3). O Soma-Rudra, in every house be supportive of the joyful peace for the bipedal, for the four-legged (6.74.1). Repeatedly to the bipedal and four-legged Veda adds a another type of man, birds, i.e. those human souls that soar in the airspace, in the Overmind: Soaring birds, bipedal, four-legged, o bright Dawn, have moved everywhere following the laws of Truth to the limits of heaven (1.49.3). And that desired high Savitri stood up, o well leading (gods), busy bipedal and four-legged and flying calmed down (8.27.12).