Essay name: Goddesses from the Samhitas to the Sutras
Author:
Rajeshri Goswami
Affiliation: Jadavpur University / Department of Sanskrit
This essay studies the Goddesses from the Samhitas to the Sutras. In short, this thesis examines Vedic goddesses by analyzing their images, functions, and social positions. It further details how natural and abstract elements were personified as goddesses, whose characteristics evolved with societal changes.
Chapter 1
40 (of 144)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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: USASANAKTA 59 The dual deity viz. Usas膩nakt膩 i.e, Usas together with
Nakta are said to be the personification of day and night together
The close connection between the night and dawn is further evidenced
by the dual form of either Usas (usasau) or ahan (ahani) which
has been taken to mean conjointly the night and the day or dawn.
Thus, for example, in RV I.188.6, they are referred to as Usasau,
and they have been described as golden-coloured (suzukme) as
having fair forms (supesas膩) and as shining forth with their
glorious beauty. The Night and Dawn are said to be worthy of
praise, and both of them smile, though they are different in
2 form.
3 They are said to be lustrous women, and celestial maidens.
They adorn themselves with bright ornaments and therefore look
Reautiful. They are fair, young, winsome, huge and endowed with
b
蚂
9 various forms.
7 Similarly the dual form ahani also denotes the day and the
night. In RV I.12.37, it is said that ahani (night and day) have
diverse hues; when the one, that is, the night departs, the other
1.e, the day arrives. Between the two, night envelops objects
TB II
# 2:6:3.
2 RV III.14.3, VII : 216, AV V : 12:6,
TB II : 2:16:4.
3 RV X 1 7016, AV V : 12:6, VS 29.31,
MS IV: 13:17.
4 RV VII 1 2.6, VS 29.31, 28.29, AV V : 12.6.
n
RV X 110:6, VS 28.29, 12.2, 17.70, 29.31,
MS II.7.94, III.2.1, IV. 13.7, AV V.12.6, TB II.2.6.4.
6 RV X.110.6, VS 29.31.
7 RV V.5.6.
8 MS IV. 13.17.
9 MS II.7.94, III : 211.
