Natural Phenomena as the Rigvedic Deities

This Svadhyaya Series Course deals with the natural phenomena elaborated upon in  the Rigveda that are first personified and then deified. This emphasizes mainly the light and water principles that sustain and nourish all the beings. The day breaks and natural light comes through various solar forms including the early dawn. Usas augments the bright Sun and other solar deities like Mitra, Savitr and the 12 Adityas.The Rigveda invokes Usha, and her sister the night, Ratri. Parjanya or rain phenomena is another life-giving principle, which is praised by the seer Atri. Aranyani or the forest deity that takes care of not only humans; but also the insects, birds and beasts is also invoked in the Rigveda. Usas, Ratri, Surya, Adityas, Parjanya and Aranyani all contribute to the concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’

The suktas selected here are very poetic with most significant adjectives used to describe the natural phenomena. The talks follow basic principles of etymology of every deity, its characteristics and functions in a systematic way, explaining the meaning of every word and providing free flowing English translation of each mantra.

A total of 7 video lectures by Prof. Gauri Mahulikar, divided into 7 lessons, are made available to the registered students.

What You will Learn

• What is Rigveda?

• The types of Suktas and deities in the Rigveda

• Concept of natural phenomena being personified and deified

• Characteristics of the five deities with their epithets

Requirements

Any individual, of any age, desirous to learn the ancient-most literature in the world, the Rigveda, and learn more about the Vedic deities will benefit from the study of this Course. Though the Suktas are in Sanskrit, lectures are in English, therefore knowledge of English is necessary. 

Course Content

This Course comprises 7 lessons, which include the following topics:

   Lesson 1: Introduction to the Vedic Sūktas

   Lesson 2: Parjanyaḥ

   Lesson 3: Ratri

   Lesson 4: Uṣas-sūkta

   Lesson 5: Surya-sūkta

   Lesson 6: Dvadaśa Āditya

   Lesson 7: Araṇyāni-sūkta

Course Contributors

Prof. Gauri Mahulikar

Br Ved Chaitanya