Rigvedic & later vedic Gods-ugc/net/jrf

Rigvedic & Later vedic Gods

The early Vedic religion was naturalistic. Evidently, there were neither temples nor idols. The mode of

prayer was recitation of mantras. Sacrifice was offered for Praja (children). Pasu (cattle) and Dhana (wealth)

and not for spiritual upliftment or misery.

INDRA

1-250 hymns are attributed to India.

2-He was the Aryan warlord and also controlled the weather.3- Has been called Purandhar or destroyer of forts.

4-He was the proverbial Rain God (prajanya),responsible for causing rainfall.

5-He was associated with thunder and storm and bore the thunderbolt (Vajra),

with which he destroyed his He has been addressed by various names -

Ratheshtha, Jitendra, Somapa, Purandra, Vritrahan and Maghayan.

Varuna

1-He was the upholder of Rta or cosmic order and whatever happened in the

world was thought to be reflection of his desire.

2- As an administrator of the cosmic law (Rta), he regulated all activities in the

world. It is he who has spread out the earth and set the sun in motion.

3-He is therefore called the world sovereign and is also regarded at the of

human morality.

4-His worship gives the earliest signs of Bhakti.

5-In every hymn for Varuna. there is an appeal for forgiveness.

Agni

1-About 200 hymns on the Rig Veda are attributed to Agni.

2-He was the intermediary between Gods and men. He consumed the

sacrificial offerings and carried them to Gods.

3-He dwelt in heaven in the form of lightning. On earth he existed in many

forms.

4-He dwelt in the domestic hearth.

Yama

1-A sort of Adam - The first man to die, who became the guardian of

the world of dead.

Soma

1-The God of plants. An intoxicant drink was also named Soma. The

Soma sacrifice was an important Vedic rituals.

2-He is the special God of Brahamans, who referred to him as their patron deity.

Later Vedic Gods

1-India and Varuna lost their previous importance and Prajapati attained the

Supreme position.

2- Rudra and Vishnu became more important than before.

3-Pushan became the God of Shudras.

4-Brahmin monopoly over divine knowledge was established.

5-An elaborate system of Yajnas developed. Among the important ones were— Rajasuya, Ashvamedha and Vajapeya.

OTHER GODS

Vayu  -Wind God

Dyaus -Father of Heaven

Aditi  - Mother of Surya

Morals - Storm spirits

Gandharvas  -Divine musicians

Ashvins  -Healers of diseases

         and experts in surgical art

Ribhus- Gnomes

Apsoras- Mistresses of Gods.

Rudra -An archer God,

       whose arose brought disease. 

Female Deities

Usha   -Goddess of dawn.

Aditi   -Mother of Gods.

Prithivi - Earth Goddess.

Aryani  -Forest Goddess

Saraswati  -The River deity.