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 3
11 (of 17)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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284
The term 'devapatnyah' is a blanket term covering all
the goddesses.
Apparently it is a comparatively late introduction
when the gods' wives were slowly coming to their own but were
still such vague generalities and so indistinctly personified that
they are nameless as individuals and appear as a collective concept.
historical
The Brahmanas are a watershed:
A
before them, the concept is vague
and abstract, after them -- actually starting from them ---
goddesses are individualized and acquire proper names and perso-
nalities. But until they appear as individuals they are indistinct,
and even then they are primarily wives of male gods. Clearly,
this reflects a specific historical phase in society which
signifies the subjugation of women by men, when they are recog-
nized not as independent personalities, like Usas, but only as
gods' wives. This association persists till the end : goddesses
by
could be powerful and significant, but they were knownly their
husbands' names, a clear reflection of women's status in society.
A
Ona
:
Gn膩 is considered as a goddess in one hymn of the Roveda
She is offered oblations with obeisance and songs of praise,
and she knows the settled order or usage at sacrifices, she is
the destination of everyone, and travels all round indefatibably,
she is held to be great.
48 48
RV V : 43:6.
