Hear now the story of Bṛhaspati, the revered Brahmaṇaspati, and the noble Ādityas, as sung in the ancient hymns. In the beginning, the wise and powerful Bṛhaspati was invoked with a new and mighty hymn. The people, eager to serve him, offered their prayers as a generous friend would, longing for their thoughts to be fulfilled by his grace. It was Bṛhaspati who, with surpassing strength, broke through the unyielding barriers. He shattered the fortresses of the arrogant Śambara, casting down what none could move, and entered the mountain rich with treasures. This divine deed, unmatched among the gods, was accomplished by his will. Neither the resolute nor the fallen could withstand him. With his song, he drove away the darkness and, by his chant, split open Vala, revealing the hidden light. With mighty force, Bṛhaspati broke open the stone enclosure that held back the honey-flowing stream. All the seers, those who perceive the light, drank together from this abundant, sweet spring. Some worlds have always existed, and some are yet to come; the years of the gods are not counted by autumns. Each, moving and wandering in their own way, follows the many paths made by Bṛhaspati’s wisdom. There were those who sought the hidden treasure of the Paṇis, concealed far away. The wise, turning back from falsehood, returned again and entered the radiant light. The truthful, abandoning untruth, stood firm upon the great path. With their strong arms, the wise kindled the sacred fire upon the stone. No one is their enemy, for they have cast away darkness. Wherever Bṛhaspati aims his swift, straight-flying, truth-strung arrow, there he surely reaches. His arrows, keen-eyed and born from the ear for vision, pierce their mark. He is the reconciler, the guide, the priest, and the well-praised champion in battle. When he brings the prize with his thought, the giver of wealth, the sun shines forth, heating many paths. The first deeds of Bṛhaspati, vast and mighty, are glorious. In these treasures of power, all peoples and clans partake. In the lower stronghold, he is all-pervading, wondrous, and mighty, growing ever stronger. Among the gods, he has spread wide, encompassing all. All the truth of you two, O generous ones—Indra and Bṛhaspati—is present here; not even the flowing waters diminish your law. Come, Indra and Bṛhaspati, accept our offering as two swift steeds yoked together. The eager fires listen in succession; the wise priest brings forth thought and wealth. Rejecting the fallen, he takes up the debt of service, and thus, in the assembly, Bṛhaspati is the champion. His will becomes effective as he desires; his true intention accomplishes great deeds. He who released the cows and divided the sky, like a mighty stream, rushed forth in strength, flowing apart. O Bṛhaspati, may we be lords of wealth, well-guided, possessing chariots, and long-lived. Grant us heroes among men, if you, ruling by prayer, accept our invocation. Guide this hymn, Bṛhaspati; be aware of it and inspire its offspring. May all that is good, which the gods protect, be ours; may we speak greatly in the assembly, strong among men. Kindling Agni, conquering the hostile, the skilled in prayer shines forth, receiving the offerings. Born from the born, he advances; and whoever Bṛhaspati chooses as his companion, he sets forth. With heroes, he conquers heroes; with cows, he spreads wealth, awakening by his own power. He increases both offspring and descendants of his chosen companion. Like the surge of a roaring river, swift and mighty, like a bull against the barren cow, he bellows with strength. Like the advance of fire, unstoppable, whatever team Bṛhaspati harnesses, he makes victorious. The divine ones pour forth their offerings to him; with his powers, he is the first to reach the cows. Tireless in strength, he strikes with vigor; whatever team Bṛhaspati harnesses, he makes victorious. For him, all the rivers flow together, unbroken, granting abundant shelter. Blessed by the favor of the gods, he prospers; whatever team Bṛhaspati harnesses, he makes victorious. Straight in praise and eager for the forest, Bṛhaspati subdues the unsubdued and approaches even the godless. Generously, he divides the hard-won prize among the pious and the impious, distributing the offering. He sacrifices and leads forth his thought, making his mind auspicious in the slaying of Vritra. He prepares the offering as he desires, and the people choose the favor of Bṛhaspati. Through his people, his clan, his birth, with sons and with men, he who calls upon Bṛhaspati, the father of the gods, with faith and offering, wins wealth and riches. Whoever serves him with offerings rich in ghee, Bṛhaspati leads him forward on the right path; the wondrous one makes wide room, protects from harm, and delivers even from sin. Now, with hymns rich in ghee, the people offer praise to the Ādityas, the ancient kings—Mitra, Aryaman, Bhaga, Varuṇa, Dakṣa, and Aṃśa, all born of truth. May these mighty Ādityas, pure and purified by streams, free from sin and blame, accept this praise. The Ādityas are vast and deep, unfailing and eager to bestow gifts, seeing much. They behold both the wicked and the good, and even the highest matters are not hidden from these kings. They uphold the moving world and all creation, far-seeing and protecting their lordship, observing the order and measuring out the debts. The people pray to know the aid of the Ādityas, so that even in adversity Aryaman may be near. By the guidance of Mitra and Varuṇa, may misfortunes be avoided as one avoids a pit. The paths of Aryaman and Mitra are easy and straight, and Varuṇa’s path is good. By these ways, the Ādityas grant shelter that cannot be overcome. Aditi, the mother of kings, is invoked for protection from hatred; Aryaman for easy paths; and under the wide shelter of Mitra and Varuṇa, may the people be unharmed and rich in men. The Ādityas uphold three earths and three heavens, three laws among their gatherings. By truth, their greatness is great—O Aryaman, Varuṇa, Mitra, it is lovely. They uphold three shining realms of heaven, golden and pure, purified by streams, sleepless and unfailing, ever watchful for the upright. Varuṇa is king of all, both gods and mortals. The people pray for a hundred autumns, for long and well-ordered lives under his far-seeing care. Nothing is hidden from the Ādityas—not right nor left, nor east nor west, nor even the secret thought. Under their guidance, the fearless light is seen. He who gives to the kings who uphold truth, whom prosperity nourishes, advances with wealth, renowned in assemblies. Pure, abundant in waters, unassailable, and blessed with good sons, he dwells in strength under the guidance of the Ādityas, unharmed by any. Aditi, Mitra, and Varuṇa are asked for grace and forgiveness for any offense, and for the granting of wide, fearless light. May Indra ensure that long-lasting misfortunes do not overwhelm the people. For the fortunate one, both heavens pour forth rain together, bestowing a noble name. In battle, he conquers both dwellings, and both increases become favorable to him. Thus, the story of Bṛhaspati and the Ādityas is sung—a tale of strength, wisdom, guidance, and the ever-present light that conquers darkness, upholding truth and granting prosperity to those who honor the gods.