Adityas

Vedic gods

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In Vedic Hinduism, the Adityas are a group of celestial deities, often referred to as the sons of Aditi, who is the personification of the infinite. The number and identity of the Adityas vary, but their chief is typically Varuna, and they are known as "upholders of divine order" (rita). Key figures sometimes named among the Adityas include Mitra, Aryaman, Daksha, Bhaga, Amsha, Indra, and Savitri (the sun god, also known as Surya). In later periods, their number expanded to twelve, aligning with the solar months of the year. The singular form, Aditya, is also a name for the sun.1

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Aditi
…group of celestial deities, the Adityas. As a primeval goddess, she is referred to as the mother of many gods, including Vishnu in his dwarf incarnation and, in a later reappearance, Krishna. She supports the sky, sustains all existence, and nourishes the earth. It is in the latter sense that…
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…group of celestial deities, the Adityas. As a primeval goddess, she is referred to as the mother of many gods, including Vishnu in his dwarf incarnation and, in a later reappearance, Krishna. She supports the sky, sustains all existence, and nourishes the earth. It is in the latter sense that…
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providence
Personal and impersonal forms
The gods, especially the Adityas, protect the world against chaos and ignorance and maintain the world order, which, however, exists independently of the gods. Although the power of rita operates according to its own principles and laws, humanity is able, provided the right methods are used, to manipulate this…
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The gods, especially the Adityas, protect the world against chaos and ignorance and maintain the world order, which, however, exists independently of the gods. Although the power of rita operates according to its own principles and laws, humanity is able, provided the right methods are used, to manipulate this…
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Hinduism
Theology
…members of the group of Adityas (sons of Aditi, an old progenitrix), who generally are celestial gods. They are also combined in the double god Mitra-Varuna. Indra and Vishnu are combined as Indra-Vishnu. There is also Rudra, an ambivalent god who is dreaded for his unpredictable attacks (though he can…
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…members of the group of Adityas (sons of Aditi, an old progenitrix), who generally are celestial gods. They are also combined in the double god Mitra-Varuna. Indra and Vishnu are combined as Indra-Vishnu. There is also Rudra, an ambivalent god who is dreaded for his unpredictable attacks (though he can…
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Varuna
…of gods known as the Adityas (see Aditi), of whom he was the chief. He is often jointly invoked with Mitra, who represents the more-juridical side of their sovereignty—the alliance between one human being and another—while Varuna represents the magical and speculative aspects—the relationship between gods and human beings. He…
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…of gods known as the Adityas (see Aditi), of whom he was the chief. He is often jointly invoked with Mitra, who represents the more-juridical side of their sovereignty—the alliance between one human being and another—while Varuna represents the magical and speculative aspects—the relationship between gods and human beings. He…
Read More