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SOME ANCIENT AND EXTINCT FAITHS
tablet from the library of Assurbanipal, the king of Assyria (668-626 B. C.), establishes the identity of Shamsh with Mithra, while Assara Mazash is simply the Ahura (Sanskrit, asura) Mazda in his Assyrian form (ERE. vol. viii, p. 754). Plutarch tells us that the cult of Mithra was taken to Rome by Cicilian Pirates, taken captive in 67 B.C. (Ibid. p. 755).
As to what Mitra represents, there can be no doubt but that Mitra was regarded as a god of light which meant that he represented some aspect of knowledge or dharma. Mitra is the god of day and to be distin. guished from Varuna who is the god of night, the day and night probably being intended to distinguish the two phases of spirit, namely, purity of essence and the condition of impurity. Mitra (literally, a friend) would, thus represent Divine Wisdom or Revelation or even the faculty of Intellect which is the best friend of man, and Varuna some specific function of Life, governing conditions of being in the state of bondage. Varuna is, accordingly, the arbiter of our destiny which is automatically adjusted in obedience to the operation of the Laws of nature. Varuna is thus described in Hindu Mythology. * He is said to have good eye-sight, for he koows what goes
oo in the hearts of mev. He is the king of gods and men ; is mighty and terrible ; done can resist bis authority. He is the sovereign ruler of the Universe. It is he who makes the sun to shine in heaven ; the winds that blow are but his breath ; he has hollowed out the channels of the rivers wbich flow at his command, and he has made
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