Lexicon of Rig Veda

Lexicon

of Rig Veda

“Increasing in the Mother” is epithet of the god, more often of Surya. Prase contains two words: (1) mātari, in mother (Locative, single from mātṛ) and (2) śvan, perhaps, active participle, masculine, Nominative case from verb śvi, to swell, increase, grow. The phrase occurs in 24 riks.

Matarishvan is the god, often Surya, cultivating in the worlds of the Earth supramental abilities of direct hearing (śruti) and of direct vision (dṛṣṭi) of the Truth which are imaged by figure of two araṇi-s, i.e. of two pieces of wood used for kindling fire by friction. By work of direct hearing and of direct vision, by joint toil (friction) of two arani-s, Matarishvan extracts Agni here, on the Earth. God Agni naturally manifested in the worlds of Heaven, in his own home, is to be manifested also here by friction: active Matarishvan churned out Agni, 1.148.1, kindled him by friction, 1.71.4; Thou, O Agni, do become manifested for Matarishvan, 1.31.3; when Matarishvan accrue Agni by friction from upper Heaven, 1.141.3; Agni being established in the Beyond, him Matarishvan brought from highest plan for the gods, him, produced by friction everywhere, 3.9.5; upward stood to the Heaven Agni, when Matarishvan fully kindled him, hidden by secrecy, 3.5.10; Matarishvan brought Agni from heaven, 1.93.6, 1.128.2; established him, living in Heaven, 3.2.13; Agni being manifested in highest ether, becomes manifested also here, 1.143.2; Agni being born in highest ether becomes manifested for Matarishvan here, 1.143.2; Matarishvan brought Agni from highest plan, 6.8.4; Matarishvan brought Agni to man, hi, of double birth, like treasure, reveled by Word, 1.60.1; Matarishvan, increaser of the many riches, discoverer of Svar, 1.96.4. Illumined seers name variously One Being, name as Agni, as Yama, as Matarishvan, 1.164.46. Brihaspati verily becomes Matarishvan in the Truth, 1.190.2.