Vishvedevas (विश्वेदेवाः)
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Vishvedevas (Samskrit : विश्वेदेवाः) are a group of deities of considerable importance in Vedas, specifically in Rig Veda, and in ritualistic observances. In the Rig Veda apart from isolated mantras about Vishvedevas there are fifty-eight independent suktas in praise of them. They have varied attributes and actions but are almost always connected with time and space, hence their contribution to Vedanga Jyotisha, the ancient Indian Astronomy is also significant. Many Puranas also refer to the Vishvedevas, countable like Maruts, as ten in number.[1]
Vaishvedeva (वैश्वदेवम्) one of the seven Pakayajnas, relates to the offerings made by grhastha to Vishvedevas. वैश्वदेवे विश्वे देवाः (आ.गृ.सू.७-२९) इति आपस्तम्बसूत्रम्।
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.
तिस्रः एव देवताः इति नैरुक्ताः । तासां माहाभाग्यात् एकैकस्याः अपि बहूनि नामधेयानि भवन्ति । सूर्यः द्युस्थानः । वायुः वा इन्द्रः वा अन्तरिक्षस्थानः । अग्निः पृथिवीस्थानः । (Nirukta. 7.3)[2]
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.
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
In the Vayu Purana, we find that Vishvedevas were the sons of Vishva (विश्वा) and Dharma (धर्मः).
दक्षस्य दुहिता ख्याता लोके विश्वेति नामतः। विधिना सा तु धर्म्मज्ञ दत्ता धर्म्माय धर्म्मतः।
तस्याः पुत्रा महात्मानो विश्वेदेवा इति श्रुतिः ।। १४.३ ।। (Vayu. Pura. 2.14.3)[1]
Meaning: Daksha had a daughter famous in the world by the name of Vishva. O Dharmajna, she was duly given and righteously to Dharma. It is well-known that her sons are the noble-ones, the Vishvedevas.[3]
Number of Vishvedevas
There are various versions about the number of Vishvedevas who are collectively named so. In the Rigvedic texts they are described to be a group of deities of a unique number 3339. Representing and using such an unusual number also depicts the highly advanced knowledge of our ancient seers. Indeed these devatas and the number associated with them, according to the ganita shastrajnas, has a connection with the eclipse cycle number of 3339.[1]
दशविश्वेदेवाः॥ Ten Vishvedevas
Bhavishya Purana details the names of the ten Vishvedevas as follows
क्रतुर्दक्षो वसुः सत्यः कालकामौ धृतिः कुरुः । शङ्कुमात्रो वामनश्च विश्वेदेवा दश स्मृताः । । १२ (Bhav. Pura. 1.125.12)[4]
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.[5]
3339 Vishvedevas
The characteristic number of 3339 is found mentioned twice in the Rigveda, once each in Mandalas 3 and 10.
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.
श्राद्धेऽस्माकं भवेदंशो ह्येष नः कांक्षितो वरः ।... अस्माकं कल्पिते श्राद्धे युष्मानग्रासनं ह वै ।। १४.१२ ।। (Vayu. Pura. 2.14. 10 and 12)[1]
- Creators of Directions - It is said that Visvedevas created the directions as mentioned in the Shatapatha Brahmana.
विश्वे देवा वैश्वानरा दिशः कृत्वा तास्वेतामाशिषमाशासत (Shat. Brahm. 6.5.2.6)
- 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
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Iyengar, R. N. (2016) Astronomy in Vedic Texts from History of Indian Astronomy, A Handbook, IX International Conference on Oriental Astronomy. (Pages 107 - 169)
- ↑ Nirukta (Adhyaya 7)
- ↑ Tagare, G. V. (1960) The Vayu Purana, Part 2. Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass Pvt. Ltd. (Page 591 - 592)
- ↑ Bhavishya Purana (Parva 1 Adhyaya 125)
- ↑ Pt. Baburam Upadhyaya (2012 Second Edition) Bhavishya Mahapuranam, Hindi Anuvad Sahita, Volume 1, Brahma Parva. Prayag : Hindi Sahitya Sammelan (Page 495)