Hear now the ancient tale of divine might, wisdom, and guidance, as sung in the hymns of the Ṛgveda. In the beginning, the heroic deeds of Indra shone forth as the first and greatest in heaven. With the strength of the gods, Indra struck down the very breath and the waters, and by this act, he became all-pervading in power. His hundredfold strength found sustenance and vigor for the worlds. In the wake of Indra’s deeds, the sages and worshippers turned their prayers to Bṛhaspati, the Lord of Prayer and leader of the divine hosts. He is the sage of sages, renowned among all, and the greatest king of prayers. They invoked him with reverence, calling him to be seated among them with his protections. To Bṛhaspati, the gods themselves, endowed with divine insight, had granted the most worthy share of the sacrifice. Like the dawn shining with the sun, he radiated brilliance, and through his might, he became the creator of all hymns. Bṛhaspati drove away darkness and the encircling gloom, standing upon the radiant chariot of truth. Formidable and powerful, he was the destroyer of foes and demons, the breaker of barriers, and the knower of the hidden light. With righteous guidance, Bṛhaspati led and protected the people. Those who served him found safety, for he burned with wrath against those who scorned prayer. His greatness was truly vast. No harm, evil, enemy, or deceiver could overcome the one protected by Bṛhaspati, for he drove away all dangers as a good guardian. He was the wise guide and the path-maker, and his devotees aged in the service of his law. Any malice directed against them was shattered by his swift and powerful force. If any mortal, with his kin, sought to harm the worshippers without cause—whether an enemy or a wolf in human form—Bṛhaspati turned them away, making the path clear for his favored. As the protector of their bodies, the helper and advocate, Bṛhaspati was called upon to cast down the godless and prevent evil from prevailing, bestowing the highest blessing. With his support, his followers were enriched and gained precious gifts among men. Dangers and enemies, near or far, were struck down and rendered powerless. With Bṛhaspati as a steadfast ally, his devotees attained the highest vigor. Ill-wishers could not prevail; with good thoughts, they crossed over all evil. Unopposed like a bull, Bṛhaspati went forth to battle, scorching the enemy and keeping his promises. Even the fierce and arrogant were brought low by him. Should any with a godless mind seek to harm or kill, Bṛhaspati ensured their blow did not reach his devotees, nor did the wrath of evildoers overpower them. Invoked in battle and contests, Bṛhaspati came to the aid of his worshippers, scattering the attacks of all assailants, as chariots are broken apart. With his blazing heat, Bṛhaspati burned up the demons who opposed him, revealing his praiseworthy power and utterly destroying encircling darkness. When his power shone forth among the noble, and his energy, born of truth, blazed among the people, he bestowed splendid and varied wealth. His followers were kept safe from thieves and enemies who plotted against them, for the desires of the gods were fulfilled in the heart, and only Bṛhaspati knew the secret of the sacred chant. For him, Tvaṣṭṛ had fashioned wisdom surpassing all beings. Even the debtor was freed by Bṛhaspati, the destroyer of deceit and supporter of truth. For his glory, the mountain parted, revealing the hidden herds of cows when the Aṅgiras released them. With Indra as his ally, Bṛhaspati drove away the darkness and opened the waters of the ocean. He guided the hymn, inspired the offspring, and bestowed all that was good and protected by the gods. In the assembly, his devotees spoke mightily and were victorious. The worshippers offered their devotion to Bṛhaspati from the very beginning, serving him with new and mighty hymns, seeking the fulfillment of their thoughts. Bṛhaspati, with surpassing strength, broke through the unyielding and shattered the fortresses of the arrogant Śambara. What could not be shaken, he cast down, entering the rich mountain. This most divine deed was accomplished; the resolute and fallen could not withstand him. With his song, he drove out the darkness, and with his chant, he split open Vala, revealing the light. With his strength, he broke the stone enclosure that held the honey-flowing stream, and all the seers who saw the light drank from the abundant spring. Some worlds have always existed, and some will come to be, for the gods’ years are not limited by autumns. Moving and wandering, each in its own way, Bṛhaspati by his wisdom made many paths. Those who sought the hidden treasure of the Paṇis, placed far away, returned from falsehood and ascended, entering the light. The truthful, turning back from falsehood, stood firm on the great path. The wise kindled the fire on the stone, and there was no one who was not their friend, for they had cast away darkness. Where Bṛhaspati aimed his swift, truth-strung arrow, there it surely reached, his keen-eyed arrows born from the ear for vision. He was the reconciler, guide, priest, and champion in battle. When he brought the prize with his thought, the giver of wealth, the sun shone, heating many paths. The first deeds of Bṛhaspati, wide and mighty, were glorious. These treasures of the powerful were shared by all peoples and clans. In the lower stronghold, Bṛhaspati was all-pervading, mighty, and wondrous, spreading forth among the gods and encompassing all. All the truth of Indra and Bṛhaspati was present; not even the waters diminished their law. Invoked together, Indra and Bṛhaspati accepted the offering as two swift steeds yoked together. The eager fires listened in succession, the wise priest brought forth thought and wealth, and, hating falsehood, took up the debt of service. In the assembly, Bṛhaspati was the champion. His will became effective, his true intention accomplished great deeds. He released the cows, divided the sky, and, like a mighty stream, rushed forth in strength. Bṛhaspati was entreated to grant wealth, guidance, chariots, long life, and heroes among men, ruling by prayer and accepting the invocation. He was again invoked as the guide of the hymn, to inspire its offspring, to grant all that was good, and to make his followers strong in the assembly. Kindling Agni, conquering the hostile, the skilled in prayer shone forth, receiving offerings. Born from the born, he advanced, and whichever companion Bṛhaspati chose, he set forth. With heroes he conquered heroes, spreading wealth, awakening by his own power, and increasing the offspring and descendants of those he favored. Like the surge of a roaring river, like a bull against the barren cow, Bṛhaspati bellowed with might. Like the advance of fire, unstoppable, whatever team he harnessed, he made victorious. To him, the divine ones poured forth their offerings, and with his powers, he was the first to reach the cows. Unwearied in strength, he struck with vigor, and all whom Bṛhaspati led were made victorious. Thus, in these hymns, is celebrated the glory, wisdom, and might of Indra and Bṛhaspati, the protectors, guides, and champions of the gods and mortals alike.