Ushas
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Hinduism |
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Japanese equivalent | Ame-no-Uzume |
Nuristani equivalent | Disani |
Ushas (
Ushas is the most exalted goddess in the
Etymology
Vedic uṣás is derived from the word uṣá which means "dawn". This word comes from
Uṣás is an s-stem, i.e. the genitive case is uṣásas, whereby it connotes "dawn goddess" in
Description
Ushas is the prominent goddess of dawn in the Vedas. She is depicted as the one who imbues life to all beings, as the "life of all life" and "breath of all breaths", according to Jones and Ryan.[2] She is revered as the deity who revivifies earth each day, drives away the chaos and the darkness, sets all things in motion, sends all living beings to do their duties in the Vedas.[2][4]
Ushas is the most important goddess in the Vedic literature, but she is not as important as the three central male deities named
Rigveda
Ushas is mentioned in numerous hymns of the Rigveda.[12] Forty of its hymns are dedicated to her, while her name appears in other additional hymns.[13] She is thanked for and petitioned for driving away darkness in hymns 7.78, 6.64 and 10.172; bringer of light urged by Surya in hymn 3.61, and the chaser of evil demons in hymn 8.47.[12] The Rigvedic hymn 1.48 describes her as drawn in a hundred chariots, revealed by the daily arrival of light, one who sets all motion to life and all life to motion, rousing people off to their duties.[12][13] She is revered for giving strength in hymn 1.44, to Ṛta in hymn 3.61[14] and 7.75, and participating in daily restoration of order and fighting chaotic forces that threaten the world in hymn 1.113.[12]
Ushas is described in Vedic texts as riding in a shining chariot drawn by golden-red horses or cows, a beautiful maiden bedecked with jewels, smiling and irresistibly attractive, who brings cheer to all those who gaze upon her.[5] She dispels darkness, reveals treasures and truths that have been hidden, illuminates the world as it is.[5] Hymn 6.64 associates her with wealth and light, while hymn 1.92 calls her the "mother of cows" and one, who like a cow, gives to the benefit of all people.[4] Hymn 1.113 calls her "mother of the gods", while hymn 7.81 states her to be the mother of all living beings who petition her.[12] She is the goddess of the hearth, states hymn 6.64.[4] She symbolizes reality, is a marker of time and a reminder to all that "life is limited on earth".[12] She sees everything as it is, and she is the eye of the gods, according to hymns 7.75–77.[12][15]
She is variously mentioned as the sister of Ratri (night),[2][16] Aditya and one who goes about her ways closely with deities Savitri and Surya.[12][13] She is also associated with Varuna (sky, water) and Agni (fire).[5][15]
In RV 6.64.1-2 (trans. Jamison), Ushas is invoked as follows:[17]
1. úd u śriyá uṣáso rócamānā ásthur apā́ṃ nórmáyo rúśantaḥ
kr̥ṇóti víśvā supáthā sugā́ny ábhūd u vásvī dákṣiṇā maghónī
2. bhadrā́ dadr̥kṣa urviyā́ ví bhāsy út te śocír bhānávo dyā́m apaptan
āvír vákṣaḥ kr̥ṇuṣe śumbʰámānóṣo devi rócamānā máhobhiḥ
English translation:
1. The shining Dawns have arisen for splendor, glistening like the waves of the waters.
She makes all pathways, all passages easy to travel. She has appeared— the good priestly gift, the bounteous one.
2. Auspicious, you have become visible; you radiate widely. Your flare, your radiant beams have flown up to heaven.
You reveal your breast as you go in beauty, goddess Dawn, shining with all your might.
In the "family books" of the Rig Veda (e.g.
5. Convey (it)—you who as the unsurpassable one with your oxen convey the boon at your pleasure, Dawn,
you who are a goddess, o Daughter of Heaven. Become worthy to be seen with your munificence at the early invocation![17]
Contemporary reverence
The revered
According to Sri
Ushas is regionally worshipped during the festival of
See also
- Aušra, Lithuanian goddess of dawn
- Chhaya
- Ēostre
- Ratri
- Surya
- Marici (Buddhism)
- Saranyu
- Shani
- Disani
- Ame-no-Uzume
References
- ^ "25. Goddess Uṣas". 9 October 2022.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8160-7564-5.
- ISBN 81-208-0567-4, p. 304.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-520-90883-3.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-486-43156-7.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-520-90883-3.
- Kuiper, F.B.J.(1968). Ancient Indian Cosmogony. Bombay 1983. Schmidt, H.P. Brhaspati und Indra. Wiesbaden 1968.
- ISBN 978-0-8147-3650-0.
- ISBN 978-0-19-929668-2.
- ISBN 978-0-19-929668-2.
- ISBN 978-0-19-929668-2.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-520-90883-3.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
- ^ "Usha Suktam - A Vedic Eulogy to the Goddess of Dawn".
- ^ ISBN 978-0-19-533261-2.
- ISBN 978-0-520-90883-3.
- ^ a b Jamison, Stephanie (2014). The Rigveda - the earliest religious poetry of India. Oxford University Press. p. 863.
- ISBN 0-914955-19-5, p. 283.
- ^ "Long Essay on Chhath Puja in English for Students and Professionals". www.teachingbanyan.com. Archived from the original on 2019-12-17.
Bibliography
- Dallapiccola, Anna (2002). Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend. New York: Thames & Hudson. ISBN 0-500-51088-1.
- Kinsley, David (1987). Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 81-208-0379-5.