BABYLON AND PERSIA

62 MEDIA, BABYLON, AND PERSIA.To whom but a sky-god can this magnificent de¬scription apply? aside from the star-broidered gar¬ment, which also belongs to Varuna. (See p. 40.)The sky is also poetically called his body, and so heis said to be " the one of all whose body is the mostperfect," " the finest of body," and homage is paidto his " most beauteous body," we worship hisentire body." Still more conclusive is the text inwhich homage is paid to " the resplendent Sun, theeye of Ahura-Mazda " * (See pp. 40,41)- Atar, Fire(originally the celestial FireLightning ; see pp. 40,42), is invariably spoken of and addressed as " Son ofAhura-Mazda," alone of all the Yazatas or " divinebeings," while the Sacred Waters are invoked in ahymn as follows :" We worship this earth which bear,=; us together with thy wives,O Ahura-Mazda ! . . ."" O ye Waters ! we worship you, you that are showered down,and you that stand in pools and vats, ye female Aliuras (Ahtminisof Ahura), that serve us in helpful ways, well-forded and fullflowing.. . ." (See pp. 45, 46-)Lastly his name is joined with that of MiTHRA, thepure Daylight (of whom more anon), in a manner andwith a persistency which makes the couple correspondexactly to the Varuna-Mitra of the Rig-Veda: (Seep. 41.) "I announce and complete my sacrifice tothe two, to Ahura and to Mithra, the lofty, and theeverlasting and the holy" (Yasna I., n); " I desire:;o approach Ahura and Mithra with my praise, thelofty, eternal, and the holy two" (Yasna II., n).And before the battle the worshipper addresses to* Yasna L, II.