Religious condition- The religion of the Rigvedic Aryans was simple. There was a religious system based on karma, that is, the one who performs deeds like this will get the same result. The donation which is given at the time of the daughter’s bidai was called Vahtu.
Important Facts related to religion-
- There was a simple and hypocrisy/ritual-less religion.
- The gods were humanized.
- Divinity of Nature
- The nature of religion was based on the tendency.
- The religion was dominated by male deities.
- Vogue of yajna was limited and the practice of rituals and sacrifices was not equal.
- The thinking of the Rig Vaidik Aryans was Utilitarian.
- The main method of worship of this period was prayer.
- Arya did not consider this world as the reason for trouble/misery.
- We can say that the Arya was a materialist.
- The concept of salvation was not developed. They used to think of death for enemies. They were inclined in the world. They believed this life as good.
- Used to demand materialistic facilities in prayers.
- Gods had higher positions compared to the goddess.
- In the Vedic period, some gods were compared in animal form. Like – Ahiburdhnya, Aj-ekpad, Indra (Taurus), Surya (Degwan horse), Indra’s bitch (Sarama) – (which used to work for finding cows of Aryans).
- The animal was not worshiped in this period.
- Dyaus is considered to be the oldest deity. The earth was told the wife of the god Dyaus.
- Indra, Agni, Varun are considered as supreme deities.
- Som god – is said to be the god of vegetation and 114 sukta are dedicated in Rigveda.
- Mitra is the god related to Varun. Mitra is considered to be the god of promise.
- Ashwin (Nasatya) – God of medicine. He has also been called as a Bheshak (Vaidya).
- Marut-God of the Wind
- Yama – the God of death
- Pushan – Road, pastoral, animal husbandry
- Vishnu – The god of three steps, his relationship was with yajna.
- Rudra – Deity related to immoral behavior.
- Goddesses of the Rigvedic period like Usha, Nisha, Prithvi, Saraswati, Aranya (Goddess of the forest), Urvashi (Apsara), Aditi (Mother of Gods), etc. are the name of some goddesses.
- Rigveda also mentions Rishabhdev (Adinath) and Arishatnemi’s name.
Indra-
The most important deity of the Rigvedic period. He is also called the god of rain.
- 250 sukta dedicated.
- Other names – Tonan, Pulushi, Purandar, Purbhid, Atsujit, Vajrapani
- Marut, the son of Prithvi and Dyaus and brother of Agna, was an associate of Indra.
- Vishnu had helped Indra in killing a monster called Vratth (famine monster).
Agni-
- 200 sukta dedicated.
- He is the other major gods.
- The God of Yajna and planet, the guide, the guest of the house, the deity of the priests.
- It is said to be a mediator between God and humans.
Varun-
- 30 sukta dedicated.
- God of water.
- They are also called kings or demon(asura).
- Ritsyagopa- Rit (patron of moral rules)
- Varuna is a special type of deity who is not impressed by prayer or yajna, a life-character should also be good to make him happy.
Position of Gods on the basis of the field –
- Akash Lok- Varun, Mitra, Surya, Usha, Pushan, Vishnu, Aditya, Ashwin.
- Space Lok / Vayu Lok – Yama, Marut, Indra, Rudra, Puryanya, Vayu, Vath, Aap:, Prajapati, Aditi.
- Bhu-lok / Prithvi Lok- Saraswati, Prithvi, Agni, Arvyayi, Som, Brahaspati, Apanpat, Matrishvin, God of rivers.
Reference : https://www.indiaolddays.com/
