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Mandala X

HYMN LXVIII. Bṛhaspati.

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1

Like birds that guard their nests, splashing in water, like the thunderous roar of rain clouds, Like merry streams bursting from the mountains, so to Bṛhaspati our hymns have sounded.

2

The Son of Aṅgirases, meeting the cattle, as Bhaga, brought Aryaman among us. As Friend of men he decks the wife and husband; as for the race, Bṛhaspati, nerve our coursers.

3

Bṛhaspati, having won them from the mountains, scattered down, like barley out of winnowing baskets, The vigorous, wandering cows who aid the pious, desired of all, of blameless form, well-coloured.

4

As the Sun dews with meath the seat of Order, and casts a flaming meteor down from heaven, So from the rock Bṛhaspati forced the cattle, and cleft the earth's skin as it were with water.

5

With light he drew the darkness forth from mid air, as the gale blows a lily from the fiver. Like the wind grasping at the cloud of Vala, Bṛhaspati gathered to himself the cattle,

6

Bṛhaspati, when he with fiery lightnings cleft through the weapon of reviling Vala, Consumed him as tongues cat what teeth have compassed: he threw the prisons of the red cows open.

7

That secret name borne by the lowing cattle within the cave Bṛhaspati discovered, And drove himself, the bright kine from the mountain, like a bird’s young after the egg’s disclosure.

8

He looked around on rock-imprisoned sweetness as one who eyes a fish in scanty water. Bṛhaspati, cleaving through with varied clamour, brought it forth like a bowl from out the timber.

9

He found the light of heaven, and fire, and Morning; with lucid rays he forced apart the darkness. As from a joint, Bṛhaspati took the marrow of Vala as he gloried in his cattle.

10

As trees for foliage robbed by winter, Vala mourned for the cows Bṛhaspati had taken. He did a deed ne’er done, ne’er to be equalled, whereby the Sun and Moon ascend alternate.

11

Like a dark steed adorned with pearl, the Fathers have decorated heaven With constellations. They set the light in

Source: Sacred Texts Archive
Hymn 67Hymn 69