Vedic Mythology c6.s4.2

c6.s4.2

With the latter deity the Aṅgirases are closely associated. To them Indra disclosed the cows (8, 52³), for them he opened the stall (1, 51³. 134⁴), and drove out the cows which were hidden, casting down Vala (8, 14⁸). Accompanied by them Indra pierced Vala (2, 11²⁰) and drove out the cows (6, 17⁶). As their leader Indra is twice called *aṅgirastama*, chief Aṅgiras (1, 100⁴. 130³). Soma (as inspiring Indra) is also once said to have opened the cowstall for the Aṅgirases (9, 86²³). In connexion with the myth of the deliverance of the cows the song of the Aṅgirases is characteristic. Praised by them Indra pierced Vala (2, 15⁸), and burst the cowstalls (4, 16¹⁸), slew Vala and opened his citadels (6, 18⁵), or dispelled the darkness, spread out the earth, and established the lower space of heaven (1, 62⁵). So characteristic is their singing that the Maruts with their varied songs are said to be like the Aṅgirases (10, 78⁵), and the gods are invoked to the offering with the chants of the Aṅgirases (1, 107²). Hymns addressed by actual priests to Indra are also several times compared with those of the Aṅgirases (1, 62¹. ² &c). Incidentally Indra assumes a less prominent position than the Aṅgirases in the myth of the cows. Thus the Aṅgirases are said to have emptied the stall containing cows and horses, with Indra as their companion (10, 62⁷). Here we have the transition to the omission of Indra altogether, his characteristic action being directly attributed to the Aṅgirases themselves. By the rite they drove out the cows and pierced Vala (ib. ²), caused the sun to mount the sky, and spread out mother earth (ib. ³). By the rite they cleft the rock and shouted with the cows (4, 3¹¹). Singing they found the cows (1, 62²). They burst the rock with their songs and found the light (1, 72²). The Aṅgirases are further connected with the finding of the cows of the Paṇis for Indra by Saramā (10, 108⁸. ¹⁰), who is said to have assisted Indra and the Aṅgirases in tracking them (1, 62³ cp. 72⁸). The Aṅgirases are also described alone as having found the cows and steeds of Paṇi (1, 83⁴). Bṛhaspati, who is connected with the same myth (10, 108⁶. ¹¹), receives the epithet *Āṅgirasa* when piercing the rock and capturing the cows (6, 73¹) or giving cows like Bhaga (10, 68²).