World of Philosophy

Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan

Page 675

of Sankhya Philosophy from which evolves the entire universe and its multiplicity. It reminds us of the concept of 'Infinite propounded by the great Greek Philosopher Anaximander (611 -547 B.C.) of the Ionic school. Agni (Fire) one of the most important Gods of the Vedas, who has been addressed in about 200 hyms, including the first hyms of the Rig Veda, latter on gets the status of the medeator between Gods and men20 and is adored as the father, brother, Kinsman and friend.21 Agni (Fire) takes the central position of the Yajna-culture of the Aryans who establishes man's communion with Gods.
'Soma', the God of inspiration and betower of immortal life occupies an important place in the Vedas. The intoxicant 'Soma' latter on takes the status of having medicinal powers helping even the blind to see and the lame to walk.22 In a hymn addressed to 'some they pray - "Where there is eternal light in the world, where the sun is placed, in that immortal and imperishable world place me, O Soma."23 Some thinkers are of the opinion that 'Somais "analogous to the 'Haoma of the 'Avesta' and 'Dinysos' of Greek, the God of wine and grapes. "24 But we are not enclined to accept this suggestion in its totality, as 'Soma' inspite of possessing intoxicant qualities, is devinised to the exalted status of the best ower of infinite immortality and enternal knowledge (light). ‘Parjanya! is another god of sky and has been called the father25 and the 'mother-earth' as 'wife 26 Parjanya' has been also regarded as the God of rain and cloud 27 who rules over the whole world and all creatures rest in it as it is the life of all that moves and rests.28 Maxmuller is of the openion that "Parjanya' is identical with the Lithuanian thunder-God 'Parkunas? 29 But the analogy seems to be too week as 'Parjanya' possesses a far greater aura and is regarded as the God of the whole environment and eco-system.
Indra30 is another God of environment who assumes the mightiest position after killing the demons who had captured the sources of water (seven streams), as a result of which all the creatures were at the point of extinction. Several environmental deities like Vāta' or 'Vayu' (wind), Maruts (storm) and 'Rudra' (millitant dreaded deity) are his companions. “Rudra31 latter on becomes 'Shiva"32 (the benignant), around whom the 'Shaivism' School of Sanatana Dharma originated and developed latter on. Vishwakrman' (maker of the world), 'Prajāpati (Lord of creatures), Vishvedeva (God of the world), “Manya, 'Shraddhāl etc. are all adored as the God and Goddess of environment. River 'Sindhu33 is worshiped and 'Saraswati' got the position of Goddess. Latter on 'Saraswati is elevated to the status of the Goddess of learning.34 'Aranyaki' is the Goddess of the forests and Vāka' is the Goddess of speech. These Goddesses became the prime basis of the 'Shākta' School of Sanātana Dharma as these Goddesses have been regarded as unperishing energy of the one ultimate
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