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→Views of Sri Aurobindo
According to Aurobindo (The Secret of the Veda), RV 5.14.4 is a key for understanding the character of the Dasyus:
According to Aurobindo (The Secret of the Veda), RV 5.14.4 is a key for understanding the character of the Dasyus:
:''Agni born shone out slaying the Dasyus, the darkness by the light, he found the Cows, the Waters, Swar.'' (transl. Aurobindo)<ref name="Sethna 1992:114-115 and 348-349">Sethna 1992:114-115 and 348-349</ref><ref>Which is translated by Griffith thus: ''Agni shone bright when born, with light killing the Dasyus and the dark'' ''He found the Kine, the Floods, the Sun''. (trans. Griffith)</ref>
:''Agni born shone out slaying the Dasyus, the darkness by the light, he found the Cows, the Waters, Swar.'' (transl. Aurobindo)<ref name="Sethna 1992:114-115 and 348-349">Sethna 1992:114-115 and 348-349</ref>
Aurobindo explains that in this verse the struggle between light and darkness, truth and falsehood, divine and undivine is described.<ref name="Sethna 1992:114-115 and 348-349" /> It is through the shining light created by Agni, god of fire, that the Dasyus, who are identified with the darkness, are slain. The Dasyus are also described in the [[Rig Veda]] as intercepting and withholding the Cows, the Waters and Swar ("heavenly world"; RV 5.34.9; 8.68.9). It is not difficult, of course, to find very similar metaphors, equating political or military opponents with evil and darkness, even in contemporary [[propaganda]].
Aurobindo explains that in this verse the struggle between light and darkness, truth and falsehood, divine and undivine is described.<ref name="Sethna 1992:114-115 and 348-349" /> It is through the shining light created by Agni, god of fire, that the Dasyus, who are identified with the darkness, are slain. The Dasyus are also described in the [[Rig Veda]] as intercepting and withholding the Cows, the Waters and Swar ("heavenly world"; RV 5.34.9; 8.68.9). It is not difficult, of course, to find very similar metaphors, equating political or military opponents with evil and darkness, even in contemporary [[propaganda]].