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== Angirasa in Legends of Cows ==

== Angirasa in Legends of Cows ==

In the RgVeda  (10.108), there is a story of Angirasa in connection to the cows. This particular legend has been described vividly in Rig Veda 3.31, and 10.108, including a reference in 8.14. Again, a description on the family of Angirasa is given in the Mandala 6 of the Rig-Veda.   

In the '''Rg Veda  (10.108)''', there is a story of Angirasa in connection to the cows. This particular legend has been described vividly in Rig Veda 3.31, and 10.108, including a reference in 8.14. Again, a description on the family of Angirasa is given in the Mandala 6 of the Rig-Veda.   

The legend goes that Panis were the demons who stole the cows

The legend goes that Panis were the demons who stole the cows

that search, an important discussion between the Panis and Sarme.  Angirasa rushi then helped Indra to locate the Panis who stole the cows.   

that search, an important discussion between the Panis and Sarme.  Angirasa rushi then helped Indra to locate the Panis who stole the cows.   

The Rg Mantra, 97.36 explains how Angirasa assisted Indra. It is explained “yena naha purve pitaraha padjna svarvido abhigha adrimushnan” our previous family, the ancestors, pitris, Angirasa who is sarvajna who had knowledge of para loka, when the cows were stolen he knew the foot marks of these cows and then he brought the cows from mountains.  

The '''Rg Mantra 97.36''' explains how Angirasa assisted Indra. <blockquote>''“yena naha purve pitaraha padjna svarvido abhigha adrimushnan”'' </blockquote><blockquote>''"In our family and ancestors, the pitris, there is Angirasa who, a sarvajna, knowledgeable about the para loka, brought back the stolen cows which were identified by their foot marks (characteristics) from mountains".''</blockquote>The myth is also found in the JaiminIya BrAhmaNa, II.440-442. Here, the cows are again clearly referred to as the cows of the Gods stolen by the PaNis.  This time, the Gods first send SuparNa, the eagle or the Sun-bird.  However, the PaNis bribe him into silence, and he accepts their gifts and returns without any information.  The enraged Gods strangle him, and he vomits out the curds, etc. received from the PaNis. Then the Gods send SaramA.  She crosses the RasA and approaches the PaNis.  She is also offered bribes, but ( as in the Rigveda) she refuses their blandishments and returns to Indra with the information that the cows are hidden inside the RasA.  She and her descendants are then blessed by a grateful Indra.

 

The myth is also found in the JaiminIya BrAhmaNa, II.440-442. Here, the cows are again clearly referred to as the cows of the Gods stolen by the PaNis.  This time, the Gods first send SuparNa, the eagle or the Sun-bird.  However, the PaNis bribe him into silence, and he accepts their gifts and returns without any information.  The enraged Gods strangle him, and he vomits out the curds, etc. received from the PaNis. Then the Gods send SaramA.  She crosses the RasA and approaches the PaNis.  She is also offered bribes, but ( as in the Rigveda) she refuses their blandishments and returns to Indra with the information that the cows are hidden inside the RasA.  She and her descendants are then blessed by a grateful Indra.

In the BRhaddevatA, viii 24-36 the same sequence of events takes place, but this time SaramA accepts the bribe of the PaNis, and apparently transfers her loyalties to them.  When she returns to Indra and refuses to disclose the hideout of the cows, Indra kicks her in a rage.  She vomits out the milk received as a bribe, and then goes back to the PaNis.

In the BRhaddevatA, viii 24-36 the same sequence of events takes place, but this time SaramA accepts the bribe of the PaNis, and apparently transfers her loyalties to them.  When she returns to Indra and refuses to disclose the hideout of the cows, Indra kicks her in a rage.  She vomits out the milk received as a bribe, and then goes back to the PaNis.