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== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
It is well known that the Rigvedic deities are structured into three natural deities based on their localization and we find this mentioned in the Nirukta. They are localized to earth (पृथिवीस्थानः) atmosphere (अन्तरिक्षस्थानः) and sky (द्युस्थानः), due to their separate activities they have many names.<blockquote>तिस्रः एव देवताः इति नैरुक्ताः । तासां माहाभाग्यात् एकैकस्याः अपि बहूनि नामधेयानि भवन्ति । सूर्यः द्युस्थानः । वायुः वा इन्द्रः वा अन्तरिक्षस्थानः । अग्निः पृथिवीस्थानः । (Nirukta. 7.3)<ref>Nirukta ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4% Adhyaya 7])</ref></blockquote>One of the important deities of the aerial region, Vishvedevas are revered in many suktas of the Rig Veda. According to Brhddevata, the eleven suktas in the 5th Mandala of Rigveda are devoted to Visvedevas.
It is well known that the Rigvedic deities are structured into three natural deities based on their localization and we find this mentioned in the Nirukta. They are localized to earth (पृथिवीस्थानः) atmosphere (अन्तरिक्षस्थानः) and sky (द्युस्थानः), due to their separate activities they have many names.<blockquote>तिस्रः एव देवताः इति नैरुक्ताः । तासां माहाभाग्यात् एकैकस्याः अपि बहूनि नामधेयानि भवन्ति । सूर्यः द्युस्थानः । वायुः वा इन्द्रः वा अन्तरिक्षस्थानः । अग्निः पृथिवीस्थानः । (Nirukta. 7.3)<ref>Nirukta ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4% Adhyaya 7])</ref></blockquote>One of the important deities of the aerial region, Vishvedevas are revered in many suktas of the Rig Veda. According to Brhddevata, the eleven suktas in the 5th Mandala of Rigveda are devoted to Visvedevas. <blockquote>को नु वां वैश्वदेवानि एकादश पराण्यतः । (Brhd. Deva. 5.36)</blockquote>It also provides names of about forty Rigveda seers who had understood or realized the nature of Vishvedevas.
को नु वां वैश्वदेवानि एकादश पराण्यतः । (Brhd. Deva. 5.36)
It also provides names of about forty Rigveda seers who had understood or realized the nature of Vishvedevas
== Family and Lineage ==
== Family and Lineage ==
Bhavishya Purana details the names of the ten Vishvedevas as follows<blockquote>क्रतुर्दक्षो वसुः सत्यः कालकामौ धृतिः कुरुः । शङ्कुमात्रो वामनश्च विश्वेदेवा दश स्मृताः । । १२ (Bhav. Pura. 1.125.12)<ref>Bhavishya Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5_%E0%A5%A7_(%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0 Parva 1 Adhyaya 125])</ref></blockquote>Meaning: Kratu (क्रतु) Daksha (दक्ष) Vasu (वसुः) Satya (सत्यः) Kala (काल) Kama (काम) Dhrti (धृतिः) Kuru (कुरुः) Shankumatra (शङ्कुमात्र) Vamana (वामन) are to be known as the ten Visvedevas.<ref>Pt. Baburam Upadhyaya (2012 Second Edition) ''Bhavishya Mahapuranam, Hindi Anuvad Sahita, Volume 1, Brahma Parva.'' Prayag : Hindi Sahitya Sammelan (Page 495)</ref>
Bhavishya Purana details the names of the ten Vishvedevas as follows<blockquote>क्रतुर्दक्षो वसुः सत्यः कालकामौ धृतिः कुरुः । शङ्कुमात्रो वामनश्च विश्वेदेवा दश स्मृताः । । १२ (Bhav. Pura. 1.125.12)<ref>Bhavishya Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5_%E0%A5%A7_(%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0 Parva 1 Adhyaya 125])</ref></blockquote>Meaning: Kratu (क्रतु) Daksha (दक्ष) Vasu (वसुः) Satya (सत्यः) Kala (काल) Kama (काम) Dhrti (धृतिः) Kuru (कुरुः) Shankumatra (शङ्कुमात्र) Vamana (वामन) are to be known as the ten Visvedevas.<ref>Pt. Baburam Upadhyaya (2012 Second Edition) ''Bhavishya Mahapuranam, Hindi Anuvad Sahita, Volume 1, Brahma Parva.'' Prayag : Hindi Sahitya Sammelan (Page 495)</ref>
=== 3339 Vishvedevas ===
=== Rigveda Legend about 3339 Vishvedevas ===
The characteristic number of 3339 is found mentioned twice in the Rigveda, once each in Mandalas 3 and 10.
The characteristic number of 3339 is found attributed to Vishvedevas, mentioned twice, in the Rigveda once each in Mandalas 3 and 10. <blockquote>त्रीणि शता त्री सहस्राण्यग्निं त्रिंशच्च देवा नव चासपर्यन् । औक्षन् घृतैरस्तृणन् बर्हिरस्मा आदिद्धोतारं न्यसादयन्त ॥९॥ (Rig. Veda. 3.9 and 10.52)<ref>Rig Veda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhita-mandal-03-sukta-009/ Mandala 3])</ref></blockquote>Meaning: Three thousand and three hundred and thirty nine devatas waited upon Agni (Fire). They anointed him with many streams of ghee (clarified butter); seated him as the first hota (priest).
This mantra is famously quoted as specifying the number of Vishvedevas to be 3339. In the sukta 10.52, where the number 3339 occurs for the second time in the Rig Veda about Vishvedevas, is attributed to the authorship of Sauchika Agni. Interesting details are explained between vishvedas and agni and the legend explaining the relationship between them has been described in this Rig veda sukta 10.52 as well as in Brhaddevata.
Briefly the suktas 10.51 is in the form of a conversation between devas and Agni. Just like in sukta three, there is a mention about Agni hiding in secret places. The legend goes on as follows. Agni had three elder brothers who were carrying the offerings of yajnas (as havyavahanas) to the devatas. However, all three died due to the harsh vashatkaras pronounced as part of the recitations during the yajnas. Fearing that he will bear the same fate, Sauchika Agni, the youngest of the four, hid himself in the celestial waters, till vishvedevas found him and requested him to come out and help in carrying the offerings in yajnas to the devatas. Sauchika agrees to their request under the condition that he should have a prominent role in the yajna and that he should get the prayaja and anuyaja parts of havis.<blockquote>तव प्रयाजा अनुयाजाश्च केवल ऊर्जस्वन्तो हविष: सन्तु भागाः । तवाग्ने यज्ञो३ऽयमस्तु सर्वस्तुभ्यं नमन्तां प्रदिशश्चतस्रः ॥९॥ (Rig. Veda. 10.52)</blockquote>Brhaddevata explains this legend at great length to conclude that total number of Vishvedevas as the sum of three different numbers, namely 3000, 309 and 30. This establishes that bringing sauchikagni was the prime role of the Vishvedevatas adding up to 3339.<ref name=":0" />
== Role of Vishvedevas ==
== Role of Vishvedevas ==
* श्राद्धे प्रथमपूज्याः ॥ First Worshipped in Shraddha : Vayu purana mentions about the tapas of the Vishvedevas for pleasing Pitrs, and Brahma, who grant them the boon of having a share in Shraddha. They are given the first priority of seating and worship in a Shraddha for forefathers. They are also the first recipients of the offerings made on that occasion.
* '''श्राद्धे प्रथमपूज्याः ॥ First Worshipped in Shraddha''' : Vayu purana mentions about the tapas of the Vishvedevas for pleasing Pitrs, and Brahma, who grant them the boon of having a share in Shraddha. They are given the first priority of seating and worship in a Shraddha for forefathers. They are also the first recipients of the offerings made on that occasion.
<blockquote>श्राद्धेऽस्माकं भवेदंशो ह्येष नः कांक्षितो वरः ।... अस्माकं कल्पिते श्राद्धे युष्मानग्रासनं ह वै ।। १४.१२ ।। (Vayu. Pura. 2.14. 10 and 12)<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>
<blockquote>श्राद्धेऽस्माकं भवेदंशो ह्येष नः कांक्षितो वरः ।... अस्माकं कल्पिते श्राद्धे युष्मानग्रासनं ह वै ।। १४.१२ ।। (Vayu. Pura. 2.14. 10 and 12)<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>
* Creators of Directions - It is said that Visvedevas created the directions as mentioned in the Shatapatha Brahmana.
* '''Related to Directions''' : It is said that Visvedevas created the directions as mentioned in the Shatapatha Brahmana.
<blockquote>विश्वे देवा वैश्वानरा दिशः कृत्वा तास्वेतामाशिषमाशासत (Shat. Brahm. 6.5.2.6)</blockquote>
<blockquote>विश्वे देवा वैश्वानरा दिशः कृत्वा तास्वेतामाशिषमाशासत (Shat. Brahm. 6.5.2.6)</blockquote>
* Seasons: In another place they are described as the seasons. वै विश्वे देवास्तदेनां विश्वैर्देवैर्ऋतुभिः संविदानः (Shat. Brahm. 7.1.1.43)
* '''Related to Seasons''' : In another place they are described as the seasons. वै विश्वे देवास्तदेनां विश्वैर्देवैर्ऋतुभिः संविदानः (Shat. Brahm. 7.1.1.43)
Skanda Purana Part 4 Chapter 16 Page 92 Merit of Gift of water Story
Skanda Purana Part 4 Chapter 16 Page 92 Merit of Gift of water Story