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Elemental Deities

Yaska (probably the oldest Commentator on the Vedas) gives the following classification of the Vedic gods :—" There are three deities, according to the expounders of the Vedas: Agni, whose "place is on the earth ; Vayu or Indra, whose place is in the air; and Surya, whose place is in the sky." These deities receive severally many appellations, in consequence of their greatness or of the diversity of their functions." In the Rig-Veda itself this number is increased to thirty-three: "Agni, the wise god, tends an ear to his worshippers. God with the ruddy steeds, who lovest praise, bring hither those three-and-thirty." This is the number commonly mentioned, though it is by no means easy to decide which are the thirty-three intended, as the lists of the gods vary considerably; whilst in another verse it is said, that " three hundred, three thousand, thirty-and-nine gods have worshipped Agni."

Agni is the Hindu god of fire. He is represented with two faces, three legs, and seven arms, and riding a ram. His two faces are said to symbolize the two fires, solar and terrestrial, or creative heat and destructive fire; his three legs, the three sacred terrestrial fires of the Brahmins—the nuptial, the ceremonial, and the sacrificial, or the influence of fire over the three regions of the universe; and his seven arms, like the seven heads of Surya's horse or the seven horses of his chariot, the seven colors of the solar spectrum, or the seven divisions of a ray of light.

To write exhaustively of Agni would be to give/ the history of Hindu fire-worship from the remotest time, for this god divided with Indra the special adoration of the Aryans of Vedic times, the worship of Agni and Indra being older than the worship of the triad. About one-fifth of the hymns of the Rig Veda refer to this god, and most of the ten books open with prayers addressed to him. He is one of the sons of Aditi, the universe, and his chief spouse is Swaha, who resembles the Vesta of the Romans.

These deities are spoken of as immortal, but are not said to be self-existent beings; in fact, their parentage in most cases is given, though the various accounts of their origin do not agree with each other, as found in different parts of the Vedas. Agni and Savitri are said to have conferred immortality upon the gods; whilst it is taught that Indra obtained this boon by sacrifice. Of the gods, originally, all were alike in power, all alike good; but three of them desired to be superior to the rest, viz. Agni, Indra, and Surya. They continued to offer sacrifices for this purpose until it was accomplished. Originally there was not in Agni the same flame as there is now. He desired, "May this flame be in me," and offered a sacrifice for the attainment of this blessing, and obtained it. So Indra increased his energy, and Surya his brightness.

Indra, Varuna, or Vayu, regent of waters, is also a very important god, and his worship antedates the Vedas. He is analogous to Neptune, is regent of the west, and one of the Aditya. He is lord of punishment, and to him are addressed prayers for protection from sin. Vayu, god of the air, is also regent of the northwest, and as such is under the rule of Indra. Vayu, the god of the winds, is often associated with Indra, and is regarded, equally with him, as representing or ruling over the atmosphere. He won the race for the first draught of the Soma juice; and, at Indra's request, allowed him to have a quarter of it. He does not occupy a very prominent position in the Vedic hymns. In one passage "The two worlds (heaven and earth) generated him for wealth." This may be intended to teach his parentage; and there seems to be no other passage where his parentage is declared. He is said to be the son-in-law of Tvastri; but here a difficulty occurs: only one daughter of Tvastri (Visvakarma) is mentioned, and as was noticed in the account of Surya, he was said to be husband of this girl.

Vayu is described as being most handsome in form ; one who moves noisily in a shining car, drawn by a pair of red or purple horses. At times the number of horses is increased to ninety-nine, a hundred, or even a thousand. This latter number would probably be employed during a cyclone. He is seldom mentioned in connexion with Maruts (storm-deities), though in one place he is said to have begotten them by the rivers of heaven.

Another name for Vayu in the Vedas is Vata. The praise of Vata is sung in the following hymn: *—" (I celebrate) the glory of Vata's chariot; his noise comes rending and resounding. Touching the sky, he moves onward, making all things ruddy; and he comes propelling the dust of the earth. The gusts of air rush after him, and congregate upon him as women in an assembly. Sitting along with them on the same car, the god [Indra] who is king of this universe is borne along. Hasting forward, ... he never rests. Friend of the waters, first-born, holy, in what place was he born? His sounds have been heard, but his form is not (seen)."