THE WINGED HORSE

Verses in the Rig Veda

Veda (in sing. or pl.) the most ancient and sacred literature of the Hindus, handed down in four collections and believed to have been directly revealed to seers among the early Aryans in India. It contains hymns, ritual, and philosophy composed in early Sanskrit and preserved by oral tradition as a guide for the priests of vedic religion. The oldest and most important collection is the Rig-Veda, followed by the Sama-veda and Yajur-veda; the Athar-veda was added to the canon later. In its wider sense, the term includes the Brahmanas and the mystical Aranyakas and Upanishads.
(Skr. veda, lit. 'sacred knowledge' )

The ancient Hindu scriptures are full of references to the Horse.

The Horse with wings has been mentioned in Rig Veda, the first of the four books of eternal wisdom, known as Veda, as the "Eternal Spirit" with the strength of the horse, speed of the wind (Marut; Matarishvan), the grace and the nobility of the Eagle (Garuda), the energy of the Sun (Mitra)

The milky-white divine horse, Dadhikra, is a personification of the morning Sun. (Rig Veda 10:101:1: Rig Veda 4:39.6)

Indra, the lord of the rain and the clouds, is described as riding a swift moving horse flying through space, with his rain-bow and the thunderbolt. (Rig Veda 1:88.1; 2:16.5)

Ashvins, the two physicians, are twin sons of the Sun by the nymph in the form of a mare. String, beautiful, bright and swift, the Ashvins, represent the transition of darkness to the light, the dawn. In the post Vedic period the Ashvins are also identified as the sons of the ocean. (Rig Veda 1:46.3)

Kalki, the tenth and the last incarnation of Vishnu, destroyer of the evil and liberator of the world, is also described as riding a winged steed. 

Glossary

MASTER INDEX

INTRODUCTION

Book 4 - HYMN XL. Dadhikravan.

1. LET us recite the praise of Dadhikravan: may all the Mornings move me to exertion;
Praise of the Lord of Waters, Dawn, and Agni, Brhaspati Son of Angiras, and Surya.
2 Brave, seeking war and booty, dwelling with the good and with the swift, may he hasten the food of Dawn.
May he the true, the fleet, the lover of the course, the bird-like Dadhikravan, bring food, strength, and light.
3 His pinion, rapid runner, fans him m his way, as of a bird that hastens onward to its aim,
And, as it were a falcon's gliding through the air, strikes Dadhikravan's side as he speeds on with might.
4 Bound by the neck and by the flanks and by the mouth, the vigorous Courser lends new swiftness to his speed.
Drawing himself together, as his strength allows, Dadhikras springs along the windings of the paths.
5 The Hamsa homed in light, the Vasu in mid-air, the priest beside the altar, in the house the guest,
Dweller in noblest place, mid men, in truth, in sky, born of flood, kine, truth, mountain, he is holy Law.

From: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv04040.htm

Verse 1:  The Lord: literally, the conqueror, that is, the winner, the obtainer.

Verse 5:  In this stanza Dadhikras is identified with the eternal Law of the universe and with all types or forms of the Supreme Being. He is the Harhsa, the Swan of heaven, or the Sun, the Vasu in mid-air or the Wind, Agni as the priest and guest of men. As the Sun, he is born from, or amid, kine or rays of light and springs up from the celestial ocean and the mountains of cloud behind which he rises. 

This stanza is explained also in Satapatha Brahmana VI 7.3.11 (Sacred Books of the East, XLI. p. 281)

This first hymn devoted to the Winged-Horse ends up by disclosing the sacred fact that the Winged-Horse is actually the Holy Law. But one may ask what is the Holy Law?
 
The Holy Law, is a Universal Law which deals with the Divine Order of the Universe, also known as Rta. In this Order, the Universal Monarch, is placed at the Head of the Universe. However, the Universal Monarch is an Immortal who reincarnates continuously and his Comings or Advents are of prime importance to see his Will accomplished on Earth as well as in Heaven. In this respect, the Holy Law of the Winged-Horse shows us how the Law of Rebirth of The Universal Monarch actually works. The basic workings of the Holy Law are well exposed in the following hymn devoted again to the Supreme Being of the Universe, the Winged-Horse!

 

Book 1 - HYMN CLXIII. The Horse.

1. WHAT time, first springing into life, thou neighedst, proceeding from the sea or upper waters,
Limbs of the deer hadst thou, and eagle pinions. O Steed, thy birth is nigh and must be lauded.
2 This Steed which Yama gave hath Trita harnessed, and him, the first of all, hath Indra mounted.
His bridle the Gandharva grasped. O Vasus, from out the Sun ye fashioned forth the Courser.
3 Yama art thou, O Horse; thou art Aditya; Trita art thou by secret operation.
Thou art divided thoroughly from Soma. They say thou hast three bonds in heaven
that hold thee.
4 Three bonds, they say, thou hast in heaven that bind thee, three in the waters,
three within the ocean.
To me thou seemest Varuna, O Courser, there where they say is thy sublimest birth-place.
5 Here-, Courser, are the places where they groomed thee, here are the traces of thy hoofs as winner.
Here have I seen the auspicious reins that guide thee, which those who guard the holy Law keep safely.
6 Thyself from far I recognized in spirit,--a Bird that from below flew through the heaven.
I saw thy head still soaring, striving upward by paths unsoiled by dust, pleasant to travel.
7 Here I beheld thy form, matchless in glory, eager to win thee food at the Cow's station.
Whene'er a man brings thee to thine enjoyment, thou swallowest the plants most greedy eater.
8 After thee, Courser, come the car, the bridegroom, the kine come after, and the charm of maidens.
Full companies have followed for thy friendship: the pattern of thy vigour Gods have copied.
9 Horns made of gold hath he: his feet are iron: less fleet than he, though swift as thought, is Indra.
The Gods have come that they may taste the oblation of him who mounted, first of all, the Courser.
10 Symmetrical in flank, with rounded haunches, mettled like heroes, the Celestial Coursers
Put forth their strength, like swans in lengthened order, when they, the Steeds, have reached the heavenly causeway.
11 A body formed for flight hast thou, O Charger; swift as the wind in motion is thy spirit.
Thy horns are spread abroad in all directions: they move with restless beat in wildernesses.
12 The strong Steed hath come forward to the slaughter, pondering with a mind directed God-ward.
The goat who is his kin is led before him the sages and the singers follow after.
13 The Steed is come unto the noblest mansion, is come unto his Father and his Mother.
This day shall he approach the Gods, most welcome: then he declares good gifts to him who offers.

From:  http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv01163.htm

Verse 2, reveals that Indra mounted the Winged-Horse which, fashioned by the Vasus, was given by Yama (Judge of the Dead), harnessed by Trita (Agni as Lightning ), led by the Gandharva (Centaur). We can see that the Horse is surrounded by several divine beings.
 
Verse 3, reveals that the Winged-Horse is Yama, the Archangel(s), and Trita (Agni), by some secret operation!! We can see the Winged-Horse as being different persons through time, namely its own Riders!
 
Verse 4, reveals that the Winged-Horse is also Varuna, another one of its Riders in the course of history.
Verse 5, reveals that the Rider of the Winged-Horse is the guardian of the Holy Law.
 
Verse 9, reveals that the Gods, the previous Immortal Riders of the Winged-Horse are joined all together with the New Rider of the Winged-Horse... The One who, first of all, mounted the Celestial Courser.
 
As we can see from these texts, the story of the Winged-Horse and its Riders is a long established tradition, besides the Winged-Horse being the epiphany of all the Riders which have flown and transformed themselves into it during their Ascensions. 
A cross-cultural text from the Bible:  .
 
"My Father, my Father! The Chariot of Israel and the Horsemen thereof." 2 Kings 2, 12
 
... which tells the same.
 

Book 1 - CXLIX - Agni.

1. HITHER he hastens to give, Lord of great riches, King of the mighty, to the place of treasure.
The pressing-stones shall serve him speeding near us.
2 As Steer of men so Steer of earth and heaven by glory, he whose streams all life hath drunken,
Who hasting forward rests upon the altar.
3 He who hath lighted up the joyous castle, wise Courser like the Steed of cloudy heaven,
Bright like the Sun, with hundredfold existence.
4 He, doubly born, hath spread in his effulgence through the three luminous realms, through all the regions,
Best sacrificing Priest where waters gather.
5 Priest doubly born, he through his love of glory hath in his keeping all things worth the choosing,
The man who brings him gifts hath noble offspring.

Book 7 - HYMN XLIV. Dadhikras.

1. I CALL on Dadhikras, the first, to give you aid, the Asvins, Bhaga, Dawn, and Agni kindled well,
Indra, and Visnu, Pusan, Brahmanaspati, Adityas, Heaven and Earth, the Waters, and the Light.
2 When, rising, to the sacrifice we hasten, awaking Dadhikras with adorations.
Seating on sacred grass the Goddess Ila. let us invoke the sage swift-hearing Asvins.
3 While I am thus arousing Dadhikravan I speak to Agni, Earth, and Dawn, and Surya,
The red, the brown of Varuna ever mindful: may they ward off from us all grief and trouble.
4 Foremost is Dadhikravan, vigorous courser; in forefront of the cars, his way he knoweth,
Closely allied with Surya and with Morning, Adityas, and Angirases, and Vasus.
5 May Dadhikras prepare the way we travel that we may pass along the path of Order.
May Agni bear us, and the Heavenly Army: hear us all Mighty Ones whom none deceiveth.
:  
Verse 5: Heavenly Army: The Army of Heaven (RV Book VII, XLIV) consists of all the Riders of the Winged-Horse of all times. It is the exact same Army of Heaven described in the Bible, (Book of Revelation 19,14) which follows the Christ in his Second Coming!! One can also again read about he same Heavenly Army in the Ragnarok.

Book 4 - HYMN XXXIX Dadhikras.

1. Now give we praise to Dadhikras the rapid, and mention in our laud the Earth and Heaven.
May the Dawns flushing move me to exertion, and bear me safely over every trouble.
2 I praise the mighty Steed who fills my spirit, the Stallion Dadhikravan rich in bounties,
Whom, swift of foot aind shining bright as Agni, ye, Varuna and Mitra, gave to Purus.
3 Him who hath honoured, when the flame is kindled at break of dawn, the Courser Dadhikrivan,
Him, of one mind with Varuna and Mitra may Aditi make free from all transgression.
4 When we remember mighty Dadhikravan our food and strength, then the blest name of Maruts,
Varuna, Mitra, we invoke for welfare, and Agni, and the thunder-wielding Indra.
5 Both sides invoke him as they call on Indra when they stir forth and turn to sacrificing.
To us have Varuna and Mitra granted the Courser Dadhikris, a guide for mortals.
6 So have I glorified with praise strong Dadhikravan, conquering Steed.
Sweet may he make our mouths; may he prolong the days we have to live.

From:  http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv04039.htm

Book 4 - HYMN XXXVIII. Dadhikris.

1. FROM you two came the gifts in days aforetime which Trasadasyu granted to the Purus.
Ye gave the winner of our fields and plough-lands, and the strong smiter who subdued the Dasytis.
2 And ye gave mighty Dadhikras, the giver of many gifts, who visiteth all people,
Impetuous hawk, swift and of varied colour, like a brave King whom each true man must honour.
3 Whom, as 'twere down a precipice, swift rushing, each Puru praises and his heart rejoices,-
Springing forth like a hero fain for battle, whirling the car and flying like the tempest.
4 Who gaineth precious booty in the combats and moveth, winning spoil, among the cattle;
Shown in bright colour, looking on the assemblies, beyond the churl, to worship of the living.
5 Loudly the folk cry after him in battles, as 'twere a thief who steals away a garment;
Speeding to glory, or a herd of cattle, even as a hungry falcon swooping downward.
6 And, fain to come forth first amid these armies, this way and that with rows of cars he rushes,
Gay like a bridesman, making him a garland, tossing the dust, champing the rein that holds him.
7 And that strong Steed, victorious and faithful, obedient with his body in the combat,
Speeding straight on amid the swiftly pressing, casts o'er his brows the dust he tosses upward.
8 And at his thunder, like the roar of heaven, those who attack tremble and are affrighted;
For when he fights against embattled thousands, dread is he in his striving; none may stay him.
9 The people praise the overpowering swiftness of this fleet Steed who giveth men abundance.
Of him they say when drawing back from battle. Dadhikras hath sped forward with his thousands.
10 Dadhikras hath o'erspread the Fivefold People with vigour, as the Sun lightens the waters.
May the strong Steed who winneth bundreds, thousands, requite with sweetness these my words and praises.

From:  http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv04038.htm

Book 5 - HYMN LXXXI. Savitar.

1. THE priests of him the lofty Priest well-skilled in hymns harness their spirit, yea, harness their holy thoughts.
He only knowing works assigns their priestly tasks. Yea, lofty is the praise of Savitar the God.
2 The Sapient One arrays himself in every form: for quadruped and biped he hath brought forth good.
Excellent Savitar hath looked on heaven's high vault, and shineth after the outgoing of the Dawn.
3 Even he, the God whose going-forth and majesty the other Deities have followed with their might,
He who hath measured the terrestrial regions out by his great power, he is the Courser Savitar.
4 To the three spheres of light thou goest, Savitar, and with the rays of Surya thou combinest thee.
Around, on both sides thou encompassest the night: yea, thou, O God, art Mitra through thy righteous laws.

From:  http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv05081.htm

Verse 3 The Course Savitar: Sayana explains etasah, as white, bright shining. It also means a horse, especially one of the horses of the Sun, and here designates the Sun himself under that form. See Satapatha-Brahmana, VI. 3.1.18; Sacred Books of the East, XLI. p 19

Book 10 - HYMN XXXVII. Surya.

1. Do homage unto Varuna's and Mitra's Eye: offer this solemn worship to the Mighty God,
Who seeth far away, the Ensign, born of Gods. Sing praises unto Surya, to the Son of Dyaus.
2 May this my truthful speech guard me on every side wherever heaven and earth and days are spread abroad.
All else that is in motion finds a place of rest: the waters ever flow and ever mounts the Sun.
3 No godless man from time remotest draws thee down when thou art driving forth with winged dappled Steeds.
One lustre waits upon thee moving to the cast, and, Surya, thou arisest with a different light.
4 O Surya, with the light whereby thou scatterest gloom, and with thy ray impellest every moving thing,
Keep far from us all feeble, worthless sacrifice, and drive away disease and every evil dream.
5 Sent forth thou guardest well the Universe's law, and in thy wonted way arisest free from wrath.
When Surya, we address our prayers to thee to-day, may the Gods favour this our purpose and desire.
6 This invocation, these our words may Heaven and Earth, and Indra and the Waters and the Maruts hear.
Ne'er may we suffer want in presence of the Sun, and, living happy lives, may we attain old age.

From:  http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv10037.htm

Verse 1 Varuna's and Mitra's Eye: Surya or the Sun. "The eye of Mitra, Varuna and Agni,' - 1.115.I.
Verse 3 Dappled Steeds: 'with Etasas - Ludwig. One lustre: by night. Cf. I. 115-5; and Aitareye-Brdhmana, III, 4.44 - 'One ancient radiance follows' (thee) whilst thou risest with another.' - Wilson. See Wallis, Cosmology of the Rgveda,  p. 117.

 

 

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