The Yajurveda represents a still later stage. Its formulas being made for the ritual, are not directly addressed to the gods, who are but shadowy beings having only a very loose connexion with the sacrifice. The most salient features of the mythology of the Yajurveda are the existence of one chief god, Prajapati, the greater importance of Visnu, and, the first appearance of an old god of the Rigveda under the new name of Siva. Owing, however, to the subordinate' position here occupied by the gods in comparison with the ritual, this Veda yields but little mythological material.