The effulgence and silence of dawn inspired some of the most beautiful Vedic hymns. Dawn is Ushas, the daughter of Dyaus; she is the Indian Aurora: Hail, ruddy Ushas, golden goddess, borne Upon thy shining car, thou comest like A lovely maiden by her mother decked, Disclosing coyly all thy hidden graces To our admiring eyes; or like a wife Unveiling to her lord, with conscious pride, Beauties which, as he gazes lovingly, Seem fresher, fairer, each succeeding morn. Through years and years thou hast lived on, and yet Thou'rt ever young. Thou art the breath of life Of all that breathes and lives, awaking day by day Myriads of prostrate sleepers, as from death, Causing the birds to flutter from their nests, And rousing men to ply with busy feet Their daily duties and appointed tasks, Toiling for wealth, or pleasure, or renown.[89] [89] _Indian Wisdom_, Sir Monier Williams. The Vedic poets “looked before and after”. One sang: In ages past did mortals gaze On Ushas veiled in gleaming gold. We who are living watch her rays, And men unborn will her behold. _Rigveda_, i, 113. 11. Night, Ratri, is the sister of Dawn. The one robes herself in crimson and gold; the other adorns her dark raiment with gleaming stars. When benevolent Ratri draws nigh, men turn towards their homes to rest, birds seek their nests, cattle lie down; even the hawk reposes. The people pray to the goddess to be protected against robbers and fierce wolves, and to be taken safely across her shadow: She, the immortal goddess, throws her veil Over low valley, rising ground, and hill. But soon with bright effulgence dissipates The darkness she produces; soon advancing She calls her sister Morning to return, And then each darksome shadow melts away. _Rigveda_, x.[90] [90] _Indian Wisdom_, Sir Monier Williams. The moon is the god Chandra, who became identified with Soma. Among ancient peoples the moon was regarded as the source of fertility and growth; it brought dew to nourish crops which ripened under the “harvest moon”; it filled all vegetation with sap; it swayed human life from birth till death; it influenced animate and inanimate Nature in its periods of increase and decline; ceremonies to secure offspring were performed during certain phases of the moon. Soma was the intoxicating juice of the now unknown Soma plant, which inspired mortals and was the nectar of the gods. The whole ninth book of the _Rigveda_ is devoted to the praises of Soma, who is exalted even as the chief god, the Father of all.