Rig-Vedic Gods
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The Worship of Nature
The Aryans were solely theists. They contemplation about life and the world was from the spiritual standpoint. The Vedic Aryans believed in the concept of one in many. They worshipped the forces of nature, but at the same time believed in the basic unity of nature.
The Vedic people worshipped many gods not because of the fear of natural phenomena but for gaining their favours. All the natural phenomena such as the sky, thunder, rain, air were believed to be guided by their presiding deities, while natural devastations were taken to be an expression of their wrath. The hymns of the Rig-Veda were mainly sung for the glorification of the gods in order to appease them. God was regarded as the ruler, ordainer of the period of life, protector of men and giver of happiness.
This implies that the religion of the Vedic Aryans was a form of nature worship. There were no places of worship like temples. Natural phenomena were conceived as the expression of some spiritual different appearances of various gods. For the different appearances of the sky different deities were imagined, such as Varuna, Indra, Mitra, Dyus. Most of these natural events were personified and it was the birth of first mythology in the world.
Rig Vedic Gods:
The earliest divine power in Vedic literature is Dyaus. Dyu or Dyaus is the name of the sky or heaven that shines, and is the most ancient name for the divine power among the Aryans. It is the same word as the Zeus of the Greeks and the Jupiter of the Latins, the Tiu of the Saxons and the Zio of the Germans, and the name of the Deity among modern nations. Dyaus was referred as Dyaus Pitr, which later became Ju-piter. Pitr means Prithvi and Dyaus was coupled with prithivi and the two Dyaus-Prithivi are the universal parents.
Indra:
Indra was the most important divinity and was lord of war. 250 hymns have been devoted to only Indra in Rig Veda, which is highest for any of the Gods. His other names are:
- Car-warrior (Rathestha)
- A winner ( Jitendra)
- Soma Drinker (Somapa).
Indra is mentioned as son pf Dyaus. He killed a demon Vritra, so he is known as Vritrahan. He destroyed the forests so also known as Purandhar. He held the thunderbolt (Vajra) with which he destroyed the enemies. His wife is Indrani or Sachi (energy).
Agni
Agni is the God of fire and acceptor of sacrifices. He was considered to be an intermediary between Gods and men. 200 hymns have been devoted to only Agni in Rig Veda while Agni is mentioned in 218 hymns.
Varuna
Varuna is the god of the sky, of water and of the celestial ocean, as well as a god of law called Rita, and of the Patal Loka (Under world). He is one of the most prominent Devas in the Rig-Veda, and lord of the heavens and the earth. 46 hymns are dedicated to Varuna in Rig-Veda.
Soma
Soma was prepared by extracting juice from the stalks of a certain plant, and the Soma God was god of the plants. 123 hymns are dedicated to Soma and most of them are from Soma Mandala.
Visvedevas
They are various Vedic gods taken together as a whole headed by Indra. 70 hymns are dedicated to Visvedevas in Rig-Veda
Yama
Yama is considered to have been the first mortal who died and espied the way to the celestial abodes, and in virtue of precedence, he became the ruler of the departed. He is the guardian of the world of Dead. His twin sister is Yami and both Yama and Yami are Children of Surya. Yamini means Night and Yami is also known as Yamuna.
Surya
Surya is the Sun God and 8 hymns are dedicated to Surya in Rig-Veda.
Other Rig Vedic Gods
- Savitri: The Gayatri mantra is dedicated to savitri
- Pusan: The guardian of the Jungle Paths and Roads.
- Vihsnu: A comparatively minor god in Rig-Veda.
- Vayu – Wind God
- Dyaus – Father of Heaven
- Aditi – Goddess of Eternity
- Maruts – Storm spirits
- Gandhrava – Divine Musicians
- Ashvins – Divine Doctors
- Rbhus – three semi divine deities of Rig-Veda.
Apsaras
Dancers of the celestial Courts. Please note that Rig Veda mentions Apsara as the wife of Gandharva. Rig Veda allows for the existence of more than one Apsara. The maiden Apsara is Urvashi who became the wife of king Pururavas, first king of the Somavamsha. Narrative of Urvashi and Pururavas is found in the Rigveda (X.95.1-18) and the Shatapatha Brahmana (XI.5.1)
- Rudra – Archer of Gods
- Aranyanai – Goddess of Forests
- Usha – Goddess of Dawn
- Prithvi – Goddess Earth.
