Review
By Sushil Kumar De, Mano Mohan Ghosh, U. N. Ghoshal, Alvan C. Eastman
Summary
Ananda K. Coomaraswamy's *The Darker Side of Dawn* (1935) explores the duality of deities in Indian symbolism, particularly the solar deity Surya (or Agni) and his feminine counterpart Usas (Dawn), while addressing unresolved iconographic mysteries. The study argues that Vedic hymns and related texts depict a metaphysical struggle between light and darkness, with deities embodying both aspects. Coomaraswamy identifies the "Serpent Queen" and her male counterpart in Mathura art as representations of Indra and Indrini, linking them to Vedic references to serpents as symbols of darkness. He also connects this duality to broader mythological themes, including Buddhist narratives like the Buddha subduing the serpent Ahi-naga and parallels in Western traditions, such as St. George battling the dragon. The work emphasizes the "duality of unity," suggesting that opposing forces—like light and darkness, serpents and deities—are interconnected. Coomaraswamy draws evidence from the *Rgveda*, *Upanishads*, and Brahmanas, proposing that serpents symbolize the "Powers of Darkness," while deities like Indra represent "Powers of Light." He further interprets mythological motifs, such as mermaids acquiring human traits, as transformations of this cosmic struggle. The study condenses complex Vedic passages into topical themes, including the victory of light over darkness, the role of Dawn as both mother and bride of the Sun, and the dual nature of Night and Day. Coomaraswamy's analysis offers a framework for understanding recurring global mythological patterns, bridging Eastern and Western traditions.
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Conclusion
Coomaraswamy’s *The Darker Side of Dawn* offers a groundbreaking reinterpretation of Vedic symbolism, particularly the duality of deities like Surya and Usas, to decode iconographic enigmas such as the "Serpent Queen" and serpent-dragon motifs. By anchoring his analysis in Vedic and Brahmanic texts, he reveals these symbols as manifestations of cosmic forces—light versus darkness—while establishing their universal resonance across cultures, from Buddhist Jataka tales to Western myths like St. George and the Dragon. The study’s significance lies in its synthesis of metaphysical principles, demonstrating how ancient myths and art collectively articulate a global "world myth" of conquest and transformation. Coomaraswamy’s work not only illuminates overlooked Vedic sources but also bridges Eastern and Western traditions, offering a unifying framework to interpret archetypal struggles between opposing cosmic powers.