________________
( 229 )
unhindered. He protects them from malevolent men, the Asuras and is also armed with thunderbolt like Indra. He is the destroyer of Vala. Brahmanaspati discharges all the functions of Bṛhaspati, a Ganapati only, rather with more fierceness. Brahmanaspati and Bṛhaspati are interchangeable in Ṛgveda and display similar functions. It appears that Bṛhaspati, the Ganapati, raised to the higher status of the leader of all the Ganas joined together in Brahma, became Brahmanaspati.
The members of Brahma were assailed by their powerful adversaries," who interfered in their activities. The whole Brahma requested their military commanders, the Devas, to move against the adversaries with the resolute common will and might of the Brahma. Here Brahma is actively associated in the act of annihilation of the marching enemies under the commandership of Brahmanaspati and Indra. This Rc
records an event of actual warfare.
Self-armed
Brahma
of Brahma
Agni, as a weapon and a commander, of Gana has previously been discussed. Agni is the purifier of Brahma.® Agni-Purifier Sāyaṇa comments Brahma as 'multiplier of progeny and others." The word 'others' includes cattle, women, wealth, fame, long life and male progeny. Ganapati Agni was also the most useful and effective commander of Brahma. Agni is Angiras. Angiras is Brahma. Brahma is purified and developed by Agni.
Brahma in
In the Atharvanic age, the Brahmaryan tribal collective had, which was undivided still, functionally divided itself into Brahma and Kṣatra but its homegeneity Atharvaveda was tried to be maintained. Kṣatra was winning more importance. Its power now has begun to be advertised as imperishable; still Brahma nominates. The
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
