She is the friend of men, she smiles like a young wife, she is the daughter of the sky." "But the transition from _devi_, the bright, to _devi_, the goddess, is so easy; the daughter of the sky assumes so readily the same personality which is given to the sky, Dyaus, her father, that we can only guess whether in every passage the poet is speaking of a bright apparition, or of a bright goddess; of a natural vision, or of a visible deity.

The following hymn of Vashishtha will serve as an instance:-- "She shines upon us, like a young wife, rousing every living being to go to his work.

The fire had to be kindled by men; she brought light by striking down darkness.
"She rose up, spreading far and wide, and moving towards every one.

She grew in brightness, wearing her brilliant garment.

The mother of the cows (of the morning clouds), the leader of the days, she shone gold-colored, lovely to behold.
"She, the fortunate, who brings the eye of the god, who leads the white and lovely steed (of the sun), the Dawn was seen, revealed by her rays; with brilliant treasures she follows every one.
"Thou, who art a blessing where thou art near, drive far away the unfriendly; make the pastures wide, give us safety! Remove the haters, bring treasures! Raise wealth to the worshipper, thou mighty Dawn.
"Shine for us with thy best rays, thou bright Dawn, thou who lengthenest our life, thou the love of all, who givest us food, who givest us wealth in cows, horses, and chariots.
"Thou, daughter of the sky, thou high-born Dawn, whom the Vasishthas magnify with songs, give us riches high and wide: all ye gods, protect us always with your blessings!" "This hymn, addressed to the Dawn, is a fair specimen of the original simple poetry of the Veda.