Aditi
Aditi (Sanskrit अदिती - limitless) [1] 'the Infinite' is a Hindu goddess of the sky, consciousness, the past, the future and fertility. She is also mother of the gods. See Agni, the Adityas, and Sage Kashyapa.
In the Vedas
Although the Goddess Aditi is mentioned nearly eighty times in the Rig Veda, it is difficult to get a clear picture of her nature. She is usually mentioned along with other gods and goddesses, there is no one hymn addressed exclusively to her, and unlike many other vedic deities, she is not obviously related to some natural phenomenon. Compared to Usas and Prithvi, her character seems undefined. She is virtually featureless physically.
Perhaps the most outstanding attribute of Aditi is her motherhood. She is preeminently the mother of the 12 Adityas whose names are as follows: Vivasvan, Aryamah, Pusḥah, Tvasḥtah, Savitah, Bhaga, Dhatah, Vidhatah, Varuṇa, Mitra, Shatru and Urukrama [2]. Aditi is also said to be the mother of the great god Indra, the mother of kings (2.27), and the mother of gods (1.113.19). Unlike Prithvi, however, whose motherhood is also central to her nature, Aditi does not have a male consort in the Rig Veda. Aditi is the most important figure of all.
As a mothering presence, Aditi is often asked to guard the one who petitions her (1.106.7 ; 8.18.6) or to provide him or her with wealth, safety, and abundance (10.100; 1.94.15). Appropriate to her role as a mother, Aditi is sometimes associated with or identified as a cow. As a cow, she provides nourishment, and as the cosmic cow, her milk is identified with the redemptive, invigorating drink soma (1.153.3)
The name Aditi includes the root "da" (to bind or fetter) and suggests another aspect of her character. As A-diti, she is un-bound, free one, and it is evident in the hymns to her that she is often called to free the petitioner from different hindrances, especially sin and sickness. (2.27.14). In one hymn, she is asked to free a petitioner who has been tied up like a thief (8.67.14). As one who unbinds, her role is similar to her son Varuna's as guardian of rta, cosmic moral order. She is called the supporter of creatures (1.136).
Aditi is also called widely expanded (5.46.6) and extensive, the mistress of wide stalls (8.67.12), and in this respect, one is reminded of Prithvi. In fact, Pritvi and Aditi become virtually identified in the brahamanas.
Aditi also is the mother of the Vamana Avatar of Vishnu. Accordingly, Vishnu was born as the son of Aditi in the month of Shravana (5th month of the Hindu Calendar, also called Avani) under the star Shravana. Many auspicious signs appeared in the heavens, foretelling the good fortune of this child.
Aditi challenges the modern idea that the Aryan peoples were patriarchal. Aditi was regarded as both the sky Goddess, and the earth Goddess, both in one, which is very rare for a prehistoric civilisation. Most prehistoric civilisations venerated a dual principle, Sky Father and Earth Mother, like the later concept of Prithivi and Dyaus Pitar. Aditi was attributed the status of "first deity" by the Aryan culture,(although she is not the only God to be attributed this status in the Vedas). She is addressed, in the Ŗhig Ved as "Mighty."
See also
- Happiness is a Science – Aditi’s Vow
- List of Hindu deities
- List of Hinduism-related articles
See also research by Dr. Stella Kramrish related to development of Sapta Matrukas concept since Aditi of the Rigvedas.
Further reading
- Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions (ISBN 81-208-0379-5) by David Kinsley
References
Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dhallapiccola
- Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dhallapiccola
- Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 6 Chapter 6 Verses 38-39
External links
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Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; from the article "Aditi". Image Credit.
