This excursus on 'The Fire-walk' has been introduced, as an occasion
arose, less because of controversy about a neglected theme than for the
purpose of giving something positive in a controversial treatise. For
the same reason I take advantage of Mr. Max Muller's remarks on Yama,
'the first who died,' to offer a set of notes on myths of the Origin of
Death. Yama, in our author's opinion, is 'the setting sun' (i. 45; ii.
563). Agni (Fire) is 'the first who was born;' as the other twin, Yama,
he was also the first who died (ii. 568). As 'the setting sun he was the
first instance of death.' Kuhn and others, judging from a passage in the
Atharva Veda (xviii. 3, 13), have, however, inferred that Yama 'was
really a human being and the first of mortals.' He is described in the
Atharva as 'the gatherer of men, who died the first of mortals, who went
forward the first to that world.' In the Atharva we read of 'reverence
to Yama, to Death, who first approached the precipice, finding out the
path for many.' 'The myth of Yama is perfectly intelligible, if we trace
its roots back to the sun of evening' (ii. 573). Mr. Max Muller then
proposes on this head 'to consult the traditions of real Naturvolker'
(savages). The Harvey Islanders speak of dying as 'following the sun's
track.' The Maoris talk of 'going down with the sun' (ii. 574). No more
is said here about savage myths of 'the first who died.' I therefore
offer some additions to the two instances in which savages use a poetical
phrase connecting the sun's decline with man's death.