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Rigveda Devatas (ऋग्वेदे देवताविचारः) (view source)
Revision as of 23:54, 31 December 2021
, 23:54, 31 December 2021→Number of Devatas: editing
The phenomenon of nature were the objects of worship for the human being in the earliest times. Some characteristics about Rigvedic deities include<ref name=":0">Deka, Barnali. (2015) Ph.D Thesis Title: ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/115225 A socio cultural study of the Rgvedasamhita]''. Gauhati University. (Chapter 4 : The Religious Aspect of the Rgvedasamhita)</ref>
The phenomenon of nature were the objects of worship for the human being in the earliest times. Some characteristics about Rigvedic deities include<ref name=":0">Deka, Barnali. (2015) Ph.D Thesis Title: ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/115225 A socio cultural study of the Rgvedasamhita]''. Gauhati University. (Chapter 4 : The Religious Aspect of the Rgvedasamhita)</ref>
# '''Personification of Nature''': Natural phenomena, the Sun, Moon, Rain etc., inspired sense of reverence in man giving rise to the concept of "presiding deities" in them. Nature stood as a never ending perplexity to them due to its power and sublimity. Various aspects of nature stimulated their aesthetic consciousness and gave rise to personification of the powers of nature into devatas. With sense of awe and wonder they worshiped the hostile forces of nature. Hence, all the phenomena of nature were the objects of reverence and became devas and devis.
# '''Personification of Nature''': Natural phenomena, the Sun, Moon, Rain etc., inspired sense of reverence in man giving rise to the concept of "presiding deities" in them. Nature stood as a never ending perplexity to them due to its power and sublimity. Various aspects of nature stimulated their aesthetic consciousness and gave rise to personification of the powers of nature into devatas. With sense of awe and wonder they worshiped the hostile forces of nature. Hence, all the phenomena of nature were the objects of reverence and became devas and devis.
# '''Presence of supernatural Powers''': The seers identified that different powers had exceptional capacity to grant specific wishes. The Rigveda deals with a number of nature gods of varying importance based on their supernatural powers, such as, Agni, Indra, Surya, Rudra, Visnu, Pusan, the Asvins, the Maruts, Savitr, Varuna, Usas, Parjanya etc. Praised for their mighty deeds, their greatness and beneficence extoled in mantras, the deities, in turn, helped their worshippers with their sustenance, wealth, offspring, prosperity, long life, victory, cattle, so on and so forth.
# '''Presence of supernatural Powers''': The seers identified that different powers had exceptional capacity to grant specific wishes. The Rigveda deals with a number of nature gods of varying importance based on their supernatural powers, such as, Agni, Indra, Surya, Rudra, Visnu, Pusan, the Asvins, the Maruts, Savitr, Varuna, Usas, Parjanya etc. Praised for their mighty deeds, their greatness and beneficence extoled in mantras, the deities, in turn, helped their worshippers with their sustenance, wealth, offspring, prosperity, long life, victory, cattle, so on and so forth.
# '''Number of devatas''': A belief in '''many devatas (Bahudevatavada or polytheism)''' was very common. We find many devatas having supernatural powers being amply praised. Next we find the concept of worshipping '''one devata (Ekadevatavada or monotheism)'''. According to them there is only one devata, Agni whose abode is on the earth, Vayu or Indra whose place is in the air and Surya, whose place is in the sky. एकं सद्विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति। (Rig. Veda. 1.1.64.46) which And the many devatas mentioned are different manifestations or descriptions of one Supreme. They emphasized that all natural phenomena were the various facets of one all-pervading Supreme being. Hiranyagarbha, the primordial "golden" germ or Prajapati, the creator is an example of such Supreme being from where the whole creation sprang forth. Gradually, the seers realized the underlying all-pervading divine principle, The Infinite, from which arose and into which the nature and universe, their individual attributes are absorbed and dissolved.
# '''Number of devatas''': A belief in '''many devatas (Bahudevatavada or polytheism)''' was very common. We find many devatas having supernatural powers being amply praised. Next we find the concept of worshipping '''one devata (Ekadevatavada or monotheism)'''. According to them there is only one devata, Agni whose abode is on the earth, Vayu or Indra whose place is in the air and Surya, whose place is in the sky. एकं सद्विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति। (Rig. Veda. 1.1.64.46) which And the many devatas mentioned are different manifestations or descriptions of one Supreme. They emphasized that all natural phenomena were the various facets of one all-pervading Supreme being. Hiranyagarbha, the primordial "golden" germ or Prajapati, the creator is an example of such Supreme being from where the whole creation sprang forth. Gradually, the seers realized the underlying all-pervading divine principle, The Infinite, from which arose and into which the nature and universe, their individual attributes are absorbed and dissolved.
== Characteristics of Devata in Rigveda ==
== Characteristics of Devata in Rigveda ==
The characteristic quality of each deva/devi depends on his/her innate nature. Some deities are human-like (manava-vat) in their activities, example, Indra, Varuna, Marut etc. Their physical description is also given in many texts, more distinctly in the Agamas at a later stage. Yaska mentions that some devatas are similar to humans and they are worshipped as though they are animate beings. Some other deities are not similar to the humans, such as Agni, Vayu, Surya, Chandra, Prthvi etc. Their worship includes an inanimate aspect.<ref name=":62">Dvivedi, Kapil Dev. (2000) ''Vaidika Sahitya evam Samskrti (Vedic Literature and Culture).'' Varanasi: Vishvavidyalaya Prakashan. (Pages 294-308)</ref><blockquote>पुरुषविधाः स्युः, इत्येकम् । चेतनावद् हि स्तुतयो भवन्ति । अपुरुषविधाः स्युः, इत्यपरम् । (Nirukta. 7.6 and 7)</blockquote>They are described as having a certain special abode in the various regions of this universe. They play a significant role in yajnas, being specially invited and as recipients of havishya, they help in fulfilling the yajamana's wishes.
The characteristic quality of each deva/devi depends on his/her innate nature. Some deities are human-like (manava-vat) in their activities, example, Indra, Varuna, Marut etc. Their physical description is also given in many texts, more distinctly in the Agamas at a later stage. Yaska mentions that some devatas are similar to humans and they are worshipped as though they are animate beings. Some other deities are not similar to the humans, such as Agni, Vayu, Surya, Chandra, Prthvi etc. Their worship includes an inanimate aspect.<ref name=":62">Dvivedi, Kapil Dev. (2000) ''Vaidika Sahitya evam Samskrti (Vedic Literature and Culture).'' Varanasi: Vishvavidyalaya Prakashan. (Pages 294-308)</ref><blockquote>पुरुषविधाः स्युः, इत्येकम् । चेतनावद् हि स्तुतयो भवन्ति । अपुरुषविधाः स्युः, इत्यपरम् । (Nirukta. 7.6 and 7)</blockquote>They are described as having a certain special abode in the various regions of this universe. They play a significant role in yajnas, being specially invited and as recipients of havishya, they help in fulfilling the yajamana's wishes. Their characteristics can be summarized as follows.<ref name=":0" />
* Common Characteristics
Gods are said to have brilliance, power, benevolence, wisdom, infinity, omnipotence, righteousness, holiness and mercy. Besides the function of creation, preservation and destruction are ascribed to them. They are said to extend the earth and prop the air and the sky.
* Immortality
In the Vedic religion, gods are characterized as immortal (amrtah)102 and unaging (ajar ah)103. Savitr is said to be the bestower of immortality on the gods.104 From the interpretation given by Sayanacarya, it is known that Savitr bestowed on the gods Soma and other means to attain immortality.105 Savitr also gave immortality on the Rbhus. l06Agni is implored to confer immortality.107 To obtain immortality, gods also drank Soma.108 It is inferred from a verse of the Rgveda that gods attained immortality by drinking amrta or celestial Soma juice.109 The undecaying nature of the gods is alluded to in the Rgvedic verses. Indra is described as ever youthful (yuna) and undecaying (ajuryata).110 The concept of immortality and unagingness of the gods arose from the observation of the regular recurrences of the phenomena of nature. Nature repeating itself in unbroken regularity made gods eternal.
* Benevolence
Gods are said to be exclusively beneficent beings, bestowers of prosperity and immense wealth11', who grant happiness in life. They protect against enemies and destroy the enemies of the human beings.112 They are friends of the sacrificer. They came to earth to be present at the worship of the devoted people and partook of their offerings. That gods bring bliss is stated thus: “Blessed is all that Gods regard with favour.”113
Morality
In the Rgvedasamhita, a well developed conception of ethical conduct is noticed. The word used to denote the conception of the order of the world is rta. Everything in the Universe which is conceived as showing regularity of action may be said to have the rta for its principle. In its most general application the conception expressed by the word occupied to some extent the place of natural and moral law, fate, or the will of a supreme God.114 Rta or ethical order is the principle of Rgvedic religion. Rta is said to be the highest truth and all beings are supposed to follow its laws. Those laws are vratas115, and if someone violates them, he would become avrata and would face the consequences which would lead him to the dark region. The character of the Vedic gods is moral.116 Gods were the embodiments of the human values and ideals of human character.They were described as the guardians of honesty and virtue. They were holy ones and wise. Gods were guileless (adruha)'17 and are never remiss.118 They were the furtherers of Law, pure in spirit and infallible.119 The Eternal law makes Indra mighty. It is stated that the offerers of sacrifice magnify Indra by their praises, i.e. rtasya satyasyayajnasya va pradisah pradestaro vidvaitisah stotraih vardhayanti.. ./12° It is stated that Indra is purified by the sastras.121 In the first mandala of the Rgvedasamhita, Agni is called the guardian of Eternal Law (gopamrtasya).122 Varuna and the Adityas were considered as
== Classification of Rigvedic Deities ==
== Classification of Rigvedic Deities ==
== Number of Devatas ==
== Number of Devatas ==
In the Vedas, the number of devatas is said to range from one to six thousand. In Rigveda, the famous mantra emphasizes the '''unity of devatas''', different forms of the same all-powerful Ishvara manifesting as Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni etc.<ref name=":62" /><blockquote>इन्द्रं॑ मि॒त्रं वरु॑णम॒ग्निमा॑हु॒रथो॑ दि॒व्यः स सु॑प॒र्णो ग॒रुत्मा॑न् । एकं॒ सद् विप्रा॑ बहु॒धा व॑दन्त्य॒ग्निं य॒मं मा॑त॒रिश्वा॑नमाहुः ॥४॥६॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.164.46)</blockquote>The same aspect is explained in Nirukta and Brhaddevata. <blockquote>तासामियं विभूतिर्हि नामानि यदनेकशः । आहुस्तासां तु मन्त्रेषु कवयोऽन्योन्ययोनिताम् ।। ७१ ।। (Brhd. Deva. 1.171)</blockquote>In the Rigveda, we find a mention of '''three devatas''' as prominent devatas; Agni in the terrestrial region, Indra or Vayu in the atmospheric region and Surya in the celestial region.<ref name=":62" /> <blockquote>सूर्यो नो दिवस्पातु वातो अन्तरिक्षाद् अग्निर्नः पार्थिवेभ्यः। (Rig. Veda. 10.15.1)</blockquote>Yaska based his classification based on the Rigvedic mantra.<blockquote>तिस्र एव देवता इति नैरुक्ताः । (Nirukta. 7.5)</blockquote>Elsewhere in Rigveda we find a mention of '''thirty-three devatas'''.<ref name=":62" />
In the Vedas, the number of devatas is said to range from one to six thousand. In Rigveda, the famous mantra emphasizes the '''unity of devatas''', different forms of the same all-powerful Ishvara manifesting as Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni etc.<ref name=":62" /><blockquote>इन्द्रं॑ मि॒त्रं वरु॑णम॒ग्निमा॑हु॒रथो॑ दि॒व्यः स सु॑प॒र्णो ग॒रुत्मा॑न् । एकं॒ सद् विप्रा॑ बहु॒धा व॑दन्त्य॒ग्निं य॒मं मा॑त॒रिश्वा॑नमाहुः ॥४॥६॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.164.46)</blockquote>The same aspect is explained in Nirukta and Brhaddevata. <blockquote>तासामियं विभूतिर्हि नामानि यदनेकशः । आहुस्तासां तु मन्त्रेषु कवयोऽन्योन्ययोनिताम् ।। ७१ ।। (Brhd. Deva. 1.171)</blockquote>In the Rigveda, we find a mention of '''three devatas''' as prominent devatas; Agni in the terrestrial region, Indra or Vayu in the atmospheric region and Surya in the celestial region.<ref name=":62" /> <blockquote>सूर्यो नो दिवस्पातु वातो अन्तरिक्षाद् अग्निर्नः पार्थिवेभ्यः। (Rig. Veda. 10.15.1)</blockquote>Yaska based his classification based on the Rigvedic mantra.<blockquote>तिस्र एव देवता इति नैरुक्ताः । (Nirukta. 7.5)</blockquote>Elsewhere in Rigveda we find a mention of '''thirty-three devatas''', eleven on earth, eleven in atmospheric region and eleven in the celestial region.<ref name=":62" /><blockquote>ये दे॑वासो दि॒व्येका॑दश॒ स्थ पृ॑थि॒व्यामध्येका॑दश॒ स्थ । अ॒प्सु॒क्षितो॑ महि॒नैका॑दश॒ स्थ ते दे॑वासो य॒ज्ञमि॒मं जु॑षध्वम् ॥११॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.139.11) </blockquote>Shatapatha Brahmana (11.3.6.5) and Aitareya Brahmana (12.11.22) give their names. They are eight Vasus, eleven Rudras, twelve Adityas, Dyus and Prthvi (or Indra and Prajapati).
ये दे॑वासो दि॒व्येका॑दश॒ स्थ पृ॑थि॒व्यामध्येका॑दश॒ स्थ । अ॒प्सु॒क्षितो॑ महि॒नैका॑दश॒ स्थ ते दे॑वासो य॒ज्ञमि॒मं जु॑षध्वम् ॥११॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.139.11)
They are eight Vasus, eleven Rudras, twelve Adityas, Dyus and Prthvi (or Indra and Prajapati).
== References ==
== References ==