Vedic Mythology c9.s3.36

c9.s3.36

Their different races are mentioned by name as Navagvas, Vairūpas, Aṅgirases, Atharvans, Bhṛgus, Vasiṣṭhas (10, 14^4-6. 15^8), the last four being identical with the names of priestly families, to whom tradition attributed the composition of the AV.¹ and of books II and VII of the RV. Among these the Aṅgirases are particularly associated with Yama (10, 14^3. 5). The Pitṛs are spoken of as lower, higher, and middle, as earlier and later, and though not all known to their descendants, they are known to Agni (10, 15^1. 2. 13). The AV. speaks of the Pitṛs as inhabiting air, earth, and heaven (AV. 18, 2^49 cp. RV. 10, 15^2).