Vedic Mythology c5.s3.t3.1

c5.s3.t3.1

This god occupies a position of considerable prominence in the RV., eleven entire hymns being dedicated to his praise. He also forms a pair with Indra in two hymns (4, 49; 7, 97). His name occurs about 120 times and in the form of Brahmaṇas pati about 50 times besides. The two forms of the name alternate in different verses of the same hymn (e. g. in 2, 23). The physical features of Bṛhaspati are few. He is seven-mouthed and seven-rayed (4, 50⁴), beautiful-tongued (1, 190¹; 4, 50¹), sharp-horned (10, 155²), blue-backed (5, 43¹²), and hundred-winged (7, 97⁷). He is golden-coloured and ruddy (5, 43¹²), bright (3, 62⁷; 7, 97⁷), pure (7, 97⁷), and clear-voiced (7, 97⁵). He has a bow, the string of which is the rite (*ṛta*), and good arrows (2, 24⁸; cp. AV. 5, 18⁸. ⁹). He also wields a golden hatchet (7, 97⁷) and is armed with an iron axe, which Tvaṣṭṛ sharpens (10, 53⁹). He has a car (10, 103⁴) and stands on the car of the rite, which slays the goblins, bursts the cowstalls, and wins the light (2, 23³). He is drawn by ruddy steeds (7, 97⁶).