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Angirasa (Sanskrit : अङ्गिरसः) or Angira (Sanskrit : अङ्गिरः) is a rishi (sage), who is associated with several vedic and puranic individuals. Descendants of Angirasa are called Aangirasa (आङ्गिरसः), who are credited with the darshana of many [[Rigveda|Rig vedic]] mantras.  

Angirasa (Sanskrit : अङ्गिरसः) or Angira (Sanskrit : अङ्गिरः) is a rishi (sage), who is associated with several vedic and puranic individuals. Descendants of Angirasa are called Aangirasa (आङ्गिरसः), who are credited with the darshana of many [[Rigveda|Rig vedic]] mantras.  

Angira is described in the Rigveda as a teacher of divine knowledge, a mediator between men and gods, as well as stated in other instances to be the first of Agni-devas (fire gods)<ref>Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide by Roshen Dalal

Angira is described in the Rigveda as a teacher of divine knowledge, a mediator between men and deities, as well as stated in other instances to be the first of Agni-devas (fire deities)<ref>Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide by Roshen Dalal

</ref> . Angirasa has also been referred to as one of the seven sages or Saptarishis of the first Manvantara.{{Citation needed|date=September 2017}} One of his sons was Brihaspati (Aangirasa) who, according to another version along with Sage Atharvana, is credited to have compiled the fourth Veda called Atharva Veda{{Citation needed|date=September 2017}}.

</ref> . Angirasa has also been referred to as one of the seven sages or Saptarishis of the first Manvantara.{{Citation needed|date=September 2017}} One of his sons was Brihaspati (Aangirasa) who, according to another version along with Sage Atharvana, is credited to have compiled the fourth Veda called Atharva Veda{{Citation needed|date=September 2017}}.

* Angirasa is one amongst the ten Brahma Manasaputras, i.e. sons born by mere thought or manas, of Lord Brahma. Upon Brahma’s desire, Angirasa through his wife Shraddha, begot seven sons: Brihat Keerti, Brihat Jyoti, Brihat Brahma, Brihan Manas, Brihan Mantra, Brihat Bhanu, Brihaspati. He also had daughters namely Bhanumati, Raka, CineeVali, Mahishmati, Guhu, Mahamati , Archishamati and Yogasiddhi. ( Mahabharata)   

* Angirasa is one amongst the ten Brahma Manasaputras, i.e. sons born by mere thought or manas, of Lord Brahma. Upon Brahma’s desire, Angirasa through his wife Shraddha, begot seven sons: Brihat Keerti, Brihat Jyoti, Brihat Brahma, Brihan Manas, Brihan Mantra, Brihat Bhanu, Brihaspati. He also had daughters namely Bhanumati, Raka, CineeVali, Mahishmati, Guhu, Mahamati , Archishamati and Yogasiddhi. ( Mahabharata)   

* Angirasa is the son of Ulmuka and younger brother of Anga who is a King. It is said that Anga married Suneedha while Angirasa got married to Smriti, the daughter of Daksha prajapati.   

* Angirasa is the son of Ulmuka and younger brother of Anga who is a King. It is said that Anga married Suneedha while Angirasa got married to Smriti, the daughter of Daksha prajapati.   

* Angirasa is closely associated with Agni, being born from sacrificial fire of Varuna: Varunasya Rutoujatahpawakadity nah shrutam (Mahabharata 1.5.8).   

* Angirasa is closely associated with Agni, being born from yajnika agni of Varuna: Varunasya Rutoujatahpawakadity nah shrutam (Mahabharata 1.5.8).   

* Angirasa is identified with Agni: <blockquote>यदङग दाशुषे त्वमग्ने भद्रं करिष्यसि । तवेत् सत्यमङ्गिरः॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.1.6) </blockquote><blockquote>yadaṅaga dāśuṣe tvamagne bhadraṁ kariṣyasi । tavet satyamaṅgiraḥ॥(Rig. Veda. 1.1.6)</blockquote>Meaning: To your worshipper, Agni bring forth all prosperity, you are the Angirasa. (Angirasa is associated with bringing the prosperity of cows)

* Angirasa is identified with Agni: <blockquote>यदङग दाशुषे त्वमग्ने भद्रं करिष्यसि । तवेत् सत्यमङ्गिरः॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.1.6) </blockquote><blockquote>yadaṅaga dāśuṣe tvamagne bhadraṁ kariṣyasi । tavet satyamaṅgiraḥ॥(Rig. Veda. 1.1.6)</blockquote>Meaning: To your worshipper, Agni bring forth all prosperity, you are the Angirasa. (Angirasa is associated with bringing the prosperity of cows)

* Angirasa is identified with Indra also :<blockquote>सो अङगिरोभिरङगिरस्तमो भूद वृषा वृषभिः सखिभिः सखा सन् | ऋग्मिभिर्ऋग्मी गातुभिर्ज्येष्ठो मरुत्वान नो भवत्विन्द्र ऊती ||  (Rig. Veda. 1.100.4)</blockquote><blockquote>so aṅagirobhiraṅagirastamo bhūda vr̥ṣā vr̥ṣabhiḥ sakhibhiḥ sakhā san | r̥gmibhirr̥gmī gātubhirjyeṣṭho marutvāna no bhavatvindra ūtī || </blockquote>Meaning : Oh Indra, You are the chief among the Angirasas, friend among friends, mightiest among the mighty, foremost among the singers, surrounded by Maruts may you protect us.

* Angirasa is identified with Indra also :<blockquote>सो अङगिरोभिरङगिरस्तमो भूद वृषा वृषभिः सखिभिः सखा सन् | ऋग्मिभिर्ऋग्मी गातुभिर्ज्येष्ठो मरुत्वान नो भवत्विन्द्र ऊती ||  (Rig. Veda. 1.100.4)</blockquote><blockquote>so aṅagirobhiraṅagirastamo bhūda vr̥ṣā vr̥ṣabhiḥ sakhibhiḥ sakhā san | r̥gmibhirr̥gmī gātubhirjyeṣṭho marutvāna no bhavatvindra ūtī || </blockquote>Meaning : Oh Indra, You are the chief among the Angirasas, friend among friends, mightiest among the mighty, foremost among the singers, surrounded by Maruts may you protect us.

* References to [[Kutsa Angirasa (कुत्स अङ्गिरसः)|Kutsa Angirasa]], [[Sapta Angirasa (सप्त अङ्गिरसः)|Sapta Angirasa]], Uru Angirasa and Prabhavasu Angirasas are seen in different mantras of Rig veda as mantra drasthas.     

* References to [[Kutsa Angirasa (कुत्स अङ्गिरसः)|Kutsa Angirasa]], Sapta Angirasa, Uru Angirasa and Prabhavasu Angirasas are seen in different mantras of Rig veda as mantra drasthas.     

* As mentioned in the Rig-Veda (10.108), Angirasa is the one to whom Indra presents all the cows after freeing them from the captivation of Asura named Vala and several other asuras called the [[Panis (पणिकाः)|Panis]].   

* As mentioned in the Rig-Veda (10.108), Angirasa is the one to whom Indra presents all the cows after freeing them from the captivation of Asura named Vala and several other asuras called the [[Panis (पणिकाः)|Panis]].   

== Etymology ==

== Etymology ==

The legend goes that Panis were the demons who stole the cows and hid them in a cave. Indra asks his dog Sarama to find the cows. Sarama was able to find the cows' whereabouts in the first instance'''.''' During that search, an important discussion between the Panis and Sarama occurs.  Angirasa rushi then helped Indra to locate the Panis who stole the cows.   

The legend goes that Panis were the demons who stole the cows and hid them in a cave. Indra asks his dog Sarama to find the cows. Sarama was able to find the cows' whereabouts in the first instance'''.''' During that search, an important discussion between the Panis and Sarama occurs.  Angirasa rushi then helped Indra to locate the Panis who stole the cows.   

The '''Rig Veda 9.97.39''' explains how Angirasa assisted Indra in securing the cows stolen by Panis and hidden in the mountains.  <blockquote>येना नः पूर्वे पितरः पदज्ञाः स्वर्विदो अभि गा अद्रिमुष्णन् || (Rig Veda. 9.97.39)</blockquote><blockquote>'yenā naḥ pūrve pitaraḥ padajñāḥ svarvido abhi gā adrimuṣṇan || (Rig Veda. 9.97.39)</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : In our family and pitris (ancestors), there is Angirasa who, a sarvajna,( knowledgeable about the paraloka), brought back the stolen cows which were identified by their foot marks (characteristics) from mountains</blockquote>This reference is also found in the Jaimineeya Brahmana, II.440-442. Here, the cows are clearly referred to as the cows of the Gods stolen by the Panis.  This time, the Gods first send Suparna, the eagle. 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 river 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 '''Rig Veda 9.97.39''' explains how Angirasa assisted Indra in securing the cows stolen by Panis and hidden in the mountains.  <blockquote>येना नः पूर्वे पितरः पदज्ञाः स्वर्विदो अभि गा अद्रिमुष्णन् || (Rig Veda. 9.97.39)</blockquote><blockquote>'yenā naḥ pūrve pitaraḥ padajñāḥ svarvido abhi gā adrimuṣṇan || (Rig Veda. 9.97.39)</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : In our family and pitris (ancestors), there is Angirasa who, a sarvajna,( knowledgeable about the paraloka), brought back the stolen cows which were identified by their foot marks (characteristics) from mountains</blockquote>This reference is also found in the Jaimineeya Brahmana, II.440-442. Here, the cows are clearly referred to as the cows of the deities stolen by the Panis.  This time, the deities first send Suparna, the eagle. However, the Panis bribe him into silence, and he accepts their gifts and returns without any information. The enraged deities strangle him, and he vomits out the curds, etc. received from the Panis. Then the deities send Sarama. She crosses the river 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 trace 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 trace the Panis.

The esoteric knowledge of this episode has been deliberately misused by the Indologists to create a wrong notion of shastras and oppositional categories to suit their colonial agenda.  

The esoteric knowledge of this episode has been deliberately misused by the Indologists to create a wrong notion of shastras and oppositional categories to suit their colonial agenda.  

==== Explanation - Esoteric Understanding of Angirasa bringing the cows ====

==== Explanation - Esoteric Understanding of Angirasa bringing the cows ====

Here गो || go (cows) means the '''आध्यात्मविद्या || adhyatma vidya (spiritual knowledge)''' that is endorsed in Vedas and the foot marks of cows (characteristics) means actually explaining the meaning of the Vedic words which are esoteric which are to be deciphered properly. And those who understand this knowledge are called '''padajna''' (having the knowledge of the Veda). The 4 legs of this Kamadhenu the Vedas are dharma, artha, kama, moksha – which are the purusharthas.

Here गो || go (cows) means the '''आध्यात्मविद्या || adhyatma vidya (adhyatmik knowledge)''' that is endorsed in Vedas and the foot marks of cows (characteristics) means actually explaining the meaning of the Vedic words which are esoteric which are to be deciphered properly. And those who understand this knowledge are called '''padajna''' (having the knowledge of the Veda). The 4 legs of this Kamadhenu the Vedas are dharma, artha, kama, moksha – which are the purusharthas.

Therefore which mantras provide for which purushartha was known very well to Angirasa rushi.  As he was knowledgeable in mantras which leads one to the parama pada or the highest abode he was the '''sarvavidaha or sarvajna''' as explained in Rig Veda<blockquote>चत्वारिवाक परिमितापदानितानि विदुर्ब्राह्मणाये मनीषिणः| </blockquote><blockquote>गुहा तरीणि निहिता नेङगयन्ति तुरीयं वाचो मनुष्या वदन्ति || (Rig. Veda. 1.164.45)</blockquote><blockquote>catvarivak parimitapadanitani vidurbrahmana ye minishinah |</blockquote><blockquote>guha tarini nihita neengayanti turiyam vaco manushyavadanti || (Rig. Veda. 1.164.45)</blockquote>These परा (para), पश्यन्ति (pasyanthi), मध्यमा (madhyama) and वैखरी (vaikhari) are the 4 ways of speech . Those who understand the meaning of these words or padas are called '''padajna''' (knower of those speech) or svarvida (these four paadas(legs) or padas (the sentences). The '''purusharthas''' which are called chatvari-sringa, are known as the 4 horns of the agni purusha or fire personified and the relationship they have with each other can only be understood by the process of yoga (upasana).

Therefore which mantras provide for which purushartha was known very well to Angirasa rushi.  As he was knowledgeable in mantras which leads one to the parama pada or the highest abode he was the '''sarvavidaha or sarvajna''' as explained in Rig Veda<blockquote>चत्वारिवाक परिमितापदानितानि विदुर्ब्राह्मणाये मनीषिणः| </blockquote><blockquote>गुहा तरीणि निहिता नेङगयन्ति तुरीयं वाचो मनुष्या वदन्ति || (Rig. Veda. 1.164.45)</blockquote><blockquote>catvarivak parimitapadanitani vidurbrahmana ye minishinah |</blockquote><blockquote>guha tarini nihita neengayanti turiyam vaco manushyavadanti || (Rig. Veda. 1.164.45)</blockquote>These परा (para), पश्यन्ति (pasyanthi), मध्यमा (madhyama) and वैखरी (vaikhari) are the 4 ways of speech . Those who understand the meaning of these words or padas are called '''padajna''' (knower of those speech) or svarvida (these four paadas(legs) or padas (the sentences). The '''purusharthas''' which are called chatvari-sringa, are known as the 4 horns of the agni purusha or fire personified and the relationship they have with each other can only be understood by the process of yoga (upasana).

The esoteric meaning of bringing down the cows (synonymous to the Vedas) from the mountain top is very significant. The panis have common knowledge, who cannot assimilate the high standard of Vedic knowledge. Their carrying away the cows symbolises that even if they take it away they do not get any benefit or they will not understand the esoteric meaning. And the go (cows) or the Vedic words were not damaged. The knowledgeable who had faith in these cows, were inconvenienced. Those who do not understand the meaning of Vedas, such people may be in disguise and steal the words of Vedas, but they won’t get the benefit of the Vedas.  

The esoteric meaning of bringing down the cows (synonymous to the Vedas) from the mountain top is very significant. The panis have common knowledge, who cannot assimilate the high standard of Vedic knowledge. Their carrying away the cows symbolises that even if they take it away they do not get any benefit or they will not understand the esoteric meaning. And the go (cows) or the Vedic words were not damaged. The knowledgeable who had faith in these cows, were inconvenienced. Those who do not understand the meaning of Vedas, such people may be in disguise and steal the words of Vedas, but they won’t get the benefit of the Vedas.  

== References ==

== References ==

# SaramA and the PaNis: A Mythological Theme in the Rigveda from the site http://voiceofdharma.org/books/rig/ch10.htm

# Sarama and the Panis: A Mythological Theme in the Rigveda from the site http://voiceofdharma.org/books/rig/ch10.htm

# Rig veda mantras reference http://ignca.nic.in/Vedic_portal_rigveda_shakala_Samhita.htm  

# Rig veda mantras reference http://ignca.nic.in/Vedic_portal_rigveda_shakala_Samhita.htm  

# Pandit Ramnarayandatt Shastri. (1955). ''Mahabharata.'' Gorakhpur:Gita Press.

# Pandit Ramnarayandatt Shastri. (1955). ''Mahabharata.'' Gorakhpur:Gita Press.