Vedic Hymns

From the Rig Veda

Hymn

A lyric poem or song addressed to a divine being.

Praising the power and wisdom of the Gods

Might also be requests for help or mercy

Usually intended for ceremonial or religious worship

Vedic Literature

A God was assigned to almost every aspect of nature: sun, wind, fire, etc.

Rig -Veda are some of the oldest Vedic hymns

Compared to the Psalms of the bible

“Night” from Rig-VedaSings the praises of the goddess of nightEnlists her help in protecting the singer’s communityOnly hymn dedicated to the goddess of night: RatriSister to DawnDepicted as bright whose eyes (the stars) drive away the darknessNot thought of as a fearful thing.

Chart answers

Positive qualities of Night: encourages rest, stars (and moon) prevent total darkness, Goddess Ratri wards off wolves and thieves.

Your ideas of Night: Traditional modern views of night might be fear of the dark, bad things come out at night, scary stories in some cases. Others might see night as a time to relax, be quiet, rejuvenate.

Personification

1)Night is a “goddess”, and a “daughter”

2)Night has “eyes”

3)Night can ward off or keep away wolves

Simile

1) Villagers going home are compared to birds roosting in their nests (verse 4)

2) Darkness is compared to debt (owing money- verse 7)

3) The hymn is compared to a song praising a conqueror (verse 8)

Metaphor

Darkness is compared to a tide in trhe sea or ocean in verse 2