Vedic Mythology c5.s3.t3.6

c5.s3.t3.6

Like Agni, Bṛhaspati has been drawn into and has obtained a firm footing in the Indra myth of the release of the cows. The mountain yielded to his splendour, when Bṛhaspati, the Aṅgiras, opened the cowstall and with Indra as his companion let loose the flood of water enveloped by darkness (2, 23¹⁸, cp. 1, 56⁵. 89⁹). Accompanied by his singing host (cp. § 54) he with a roar rent Vala; shouting he drove out the lowing cows (4, 50⁵). He won treasures and the great stalls full of cows; desiring waters and light, the irresistible Bṛhaspati slays his foe with flames (6, 73³). What was firm was loosened, what was strong yielded to him; he drove out the cows, he cleft Vala with prayer; he covered up the darkness and made heaven visible; the stone-mouthed well filled with honey, which Bṛhaspati pierced with might, that the celestials drank, while they poured out together abundantly the watery fountain (2, 24³·⁴). When Bṛhaspati with fiery gleams rent the defences of Vala, he revealed the treasures of the cows; as if splitting open eggs, he drove out the cows of the mountain; he beheld the honey enclosed by the stone; he brought it out, having cloven (Vala) with his roar; he smote forth as it were the marrow of Vala (10, 68⁴⁻⁹). He drove out the cows and distributed them in heaven (2, 24¹⁴). Bṛhaspati fetched the cows out of the rock; seizing the cows of Vala, he took possession of them (10, 685). His conquest of Vala is so characteristic that it became proverbial (AV. 9, 3²). Being in the clouds (*abhriya*) he shouts aloud after the many cows (10, 68¹², cp. 67³). These cows may represent the waters, which are expressly mentioned (2, 23¹⁸; 6, 73³) or possibly the rays of dawn (cp. 10, 67⁵. 68⁹).