Vedic-era | Manidvipa

Goddesses in Vedic-era

In the Vedic tradition, goddesses do not play a primary role. However, the goddesses of succeeding Hindu traditions were influenced by the Vedas, with new names, forms, and additions. While many goddesses are named in the oldest Vedic text, the Rig-Veda, none of them have a primary role as the male deities Agni, Soma, and Indra. Only Usha, among the goddesses, could be regarded as equally significant as male deities, with twenty hymns dedicated to her.

Most of these goddesses have lost their hold in modern Hindu traditions but goddesses like Usha, Prithvi, and Saraswati remain prominent in various rituals.

Goddess Usha

Source: devichamundeshwari.blogspot.com/2013/02/ usha-goddess-of-rig-veda.html

Usha

Usha is a goddess who embodies the natural phenomenon of dawn. She is a deity of good fortune and is associated with light and wealth. According to Hindu mythology, she is the daughter of Dayus, the god of the sky, and the wife of Surya, the sun god. Usha is often depicted as a beautiful young woman with a reddish or golden complexion, and she rides a chariot drawn by white oxen.

Aditi

Aditi is a prominent Vedic goddess and is the mother of celestial deities called Aditiyas. She is associated with infinity and is often invoked to bestow wealth and cattle. Although the Rigveda does not describe her physical appearance, she is often symbolised as a cow, similar to Prithivi. While there is no separate hymn dedicated to Aditi in the Vedas, she is mentioned in various hymns alongside other deities.

Prithivi

Prithivi is known as the "Vast One" and is associated with the Earth, which sustains all life. In the Vedas, she is often associated with Dyaus, the god of the sky. However, in later Hindu texts such as the Puranas, she is known as Bhumi or Bhu Devi and is identified as the wife of Varaha, a form of Lord Vishnu. Prithivi is often symbolized as a cow, which is considered a sacred animal in Hinduism.

Vac

Vac, also known as Vageshvari, is the goddess of speech and is considered to be the origin of all creation. She is depicted as a two-armed woman holding a pen and a manuscript. Over time, her characteristics were absorbed into the image of Saraswati.

Saraswati

In Vedic times, Saraswati was a powerful river. She was also associated with music and was praised for her role in fertility, nourishment, and immortality. Over time, she evolved into the goddess of knowledge and wisdom.

Nirrti

Nirrti, on the other hand, is associated with death, decay, anger, and sorrow. People invoke her for strength and protection. She shares similarities with some Puranic goddesses, such as Alakshmi or Jyeshta, as well as Dhumavati. Another goddess with similarities to Nirrti is Arati, who is described as the goddess of frustration and restlessness in the Atharveda.

Other Goddesses

Ratri is a deity who is associated with the night and is believed to provide comfort and protection during the dark hours. Together with Usha, the goddess of dawn, they are known as the "weavers of time and mothers of eternal law".

In the Shri-Shukta of Rigveda, Shri is not described as a goddess, but rather as a term that refers to qualities such as auspiciousness and royalty. Later references associate the motifs of lotus and elephant with Gaja-Lakshmi, a form of Lakshmi.

Dhisana is one of the goddesses associated with prosperity and wealth. She is mentioned in most of the mandalas in Rig Veda. Other minor goddesses like Purardhi, Parendi, Raka, and Dhisana are also linked to hospitality and riches.

Aṅgiras is one of the Prajāpatis, sons of Brahmā who were born from his mind. Aṅgiras married Smṛti and together they had four daughters: Anumati, Raka, Kuhu, and Sinivali. Raka is an ancient moon-goddess who is often associated with the full moon. She is mentioned in the Ṛig-Veda and is still worshipped in temples today during installation and consecration ceremonies, along with Sinivala. During these ceremonies, Raka is invoked in mud-pots that have fissures. Kuhu is a goddess who is linked to the new moon day and the following or first day of the bright fortnight. Anumati is the goddess of love and is the goddess worshipped for healthy children. She is also associated with the moon. Sinivali is another goddess who is gracious and associated with progeny. She is described as broad-hipped, fair-armed, and fertile, and is often invoked together with other goddesses like Ganga, Raka, Saraswati, Indrani, and Varunani.

While the consorts of many male deities are mentioned, the names of early goddesses are formed directly by adding a feminine suffix to the names of their respective gods. Examples include Indrani, Varunani, Agnayi, and Rudrani.

During the late Vedic period, Ambika was considered to be the sister and spouse of Rudra, the wind god. In the Puranic period, they became known as Shiva and Parvati.

The Rigveda also contains references to Danu, the mother of the Danavas.

Saranyu is mentioned as the daughter of Tvaster, the artisan god.

Suryaa is mentioned as the daughter of Surya, described as fair and desirable.

Prsini is the mother of Maruts, storm deities.

Another goddess mentioned in Rigveda is Aranyani, who is the goddess of the forest. She is depicted as an obscure figure who avoids villages and disappears from sight, much like Yakshinis.

There is another set of minor goddesses that seem to be primarily associated with the sacrificial rituals of the Rig Veda. These goddesses, including lia, Bharati, Mahi, and Hotra, are usually called upon to take their place on the sacrificial grass before a ritual. Iia is the personification of the offering of milk and ghee, while Hotra is the personification of sacrifice or burnt offering. Bharati is the Goddess of knowledge and wisdom. Mahi is the goddess of the Vast Truth (Mahas).

In later Vedic literature, the "fire" is personified as Kali (all-consuming), Karali (terrific), Manojava (swift as the mind), Sulohita (red), Sudhumravarna (smokey hued), Sphulingini (blazing with sparks), and Visvarupi (having all forms), symbolizing the flames as Devi, also known as "the seven tongues of Agni". In the Jaiminiya Upanishad Brahmana, a Vedic text, Dirghjeevi is a goddess or demoness described as having a long tongue, similar to the goddess Kali of a later period.

Sarama is another Vedic goddess often interpreted as a heavenly female dog of the gods or Deva-shuni and is also known as the mother of dogs.