No exaggeration--the sign of Hindu enthusiasm--is displayed in the laudation, and the epithet 'father' is given to half a dozen Vedic gods, as in Rome Ma( r)spiter stands beside Jup( p)iter.
Certain functions are ascribed to Heaven and Earth, but they are of secondary origin.

Thus they bring to the god he sacrifice,[54] as does Agni, and one whole hymn may thus be epitomized: 'By the ordinance of Varuna made firm, O Heaven and Earth, give us blessings.

Blest with children and wealth is he that adores you twain.

Give us sweet food, glory and strength of heroes, ye who are our father and mother.'[55] The praise is vague and the benevolence is the usual 'bestowal of blessings' expected of all the gods in return for praise.

Other hymns add to this something, from which one sees that these deities are not regarded as self-created; for the seers of old, or, according to one poet some wonderful divine artisan, "most wondrous worker of the wonder-working gods," created them.