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 2
57 (of 112)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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� 219 44 She is very extensive. She personified both the heaven
and the atmosphere. She is what is born and what is to be born,
45 46.
--- Another connection with fertility which establishes her as a
mother-goddess.
47 She is the mother of the gods." she is the mother of kinds
49 as Mitra, Varuna, etc. and also of heroes. She has intellectual
48 50
51 sons, and she is also the mother of righteousness she is the
mother, father, son, etc. all in one, and is also looked upon as
the mother-goddess Prthivi? She is regarded as the great mother?
$
3 54
She is the wife and beloved of all the gods. She is held to be
$5
the wife of righteousness, too.
A few instances may be cited in connection with Aditi's
identification with the cow. The identification rests on the
bountiful nature of both.
Soma-juice is compared with the fresh
milk of Aditi, the cow. In RV 1.153.3, Aditi is said to be the
66 RV VIII ; 67:12, I ; 89:10, V : 46:6,
3 �
45 46
995 AV VII : 62 & 3, V8 XXI : 5 & 6, XXXV; 23,
US IV : 10:33 & 34, TS I S
II : 31812, ŚB X : 12:14.
AV VII : 6:1, VII # 6:4.
TB I : 81617,
AV VII 1611, V8 XXV : 23, AB (RV) III : 3:31.
47 RV I : 94:16, X # 36:3, X # 63:17, X # 64:13,
X # 6519, X: 92114,X 185:3, V : 4616, III : 54:18,
IV 1120, V : 70:3, III : 54: 20, IV: 18:5, IV : 1818,
:
IV : 18:10, & 11, IV : 25 : 5, IV : 553 & 7, VI : 51 : 3 & 4
VII 38 4, VII # 40 ; 4, VII : 512, VIII: 253, VIII : 18:6,
VIII # 479, VIII; 67:10, VIII 12:14, VII 82:10, VII: 66:6,
VIII : 25:10, VS XXV, 23.
Contd.
