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10
S. S. GUPTA
SAMBODHI
You will always remain subordinate to him and his will. You will try to win his blessings by working according to his wishes, i.e., in the coöperation and will never try to insult him, i.e., exploit him beyond a reasonable limit or pollute him. When these rules of the game are observed strictly then the devatā smiles on you and gives you what you want. In other words, prayers teach us to be contented, self-disciplined, work in coöperation with the devatā (i.e., a natural phenomenon, which he is), never try to over exploit nature or pollute it. This is key to happiness.
Thus, it is clear that Viśvedevāḥ, is no devatā. He is a representative of all devatās –a unique charater created by rsis to give very useful messages to humanity so that they can remain healthy, happy and contented.
Notes:
1.
References from Rig Veda have been given in brackets. They have been taken from either Hindi translations of Pt. Shri Ram Sharma, Bareilly, or Dayananda Sarasvati, Delhi and English translations by H. H. Wilson, Delhi or Ralph T. H. Griffith, Delhi. Editor, Jai Shankar Joshi, Halāyudha-Kośa, Sarasvati Bhavan, Varanasi, 1879. Rșis have some different ideas about Vişnu, Rudra, Brahmā etc. Probably they are not represented by Viśvedevāḥ.
2.
3.
S. No.
Sūktas
1.14 1.89 1.90 1.105 1.106 1.107 1.122 1.186 II.29 II.31 III.54
Appendix-1
VIŠVEDEVĀŅ Rși Medhātithi Kāņvaḥ Gotamah Rāhūganaḥ Gotamah Rāhūganaḥ Kutsa Angirasa Kutsa Angirasa Kutsa Angirasa Kaksiuvāna Dairglatamas (Ausijah) Agastyaḥ Kūrmah Gärtsamadah Gștsamada Bhārgava Śaunakah Prajāpatiḥ vācyah, Prajāpatiḥ vaiśvāmitrah