Aditi
Aditi is a goddess in Hindu mythology.
She is the mother of the Adityas: 12 major devas.
She is also the goddess of space, consciousness, past, future, and fertility. She is the wife of Kashyapa.
Aditi’s name means “free of bonds”.
Devaki is the incarnation of Aditi.
Family
Father: Daksha
Mother: Panchajani
Husband: Kashyapa
Sisters: Diti, Danu, Arishta, Surasa, Surabhi, Vinata, Tamra, Krodhvasha, Ira, Kadru, Vishva, Muni, Maruvati, Vasu, Jami, Lamba, Bhanu, Urjja, Sankalpa, Mahuratha, Sadhya, Visva, Krttika, Rohini, Mrigashirsha, Ardra, Punarvasu, Purbabhadrapada, Pushya, Aslesha, Magha, Svati, Chitra, Purvaphalguni, Hasta, Radha, Vishakha, Anuradha, Jyeshta, Mula, Purbashadha, Uttarashara, Sravana, Uttaraphalguni, Satabhisha, Uttarabhadrapada, Revati, Ashwini, Bharani
Sons: Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman, Indra, Amsa, Bhaga, Dhatri, Pusan, Tvastra, Parjanya, Surya, Vishnu (as Vamana)
Birth
Daksha and Panchajani had many daughters, including Aditi.
Marriage and Birth of Sons
Daksha married all of his daughters off to different people, including Aditi and 12 others to Kashyapa rishi.
When Kashyapa was living with Aditi and Diti in his ashrama, he was really pleased with Aditi’s services and told her to ask for a boon. Aditi prayed for one ideal son. Accordingly, Indra was born to Aditi.
Later, Aditi gave birth to others, namely Varuna, Parjanya, Mitra, Amsa, Pusan, Dhatri, Tvastra, Aryaman, Surya, and Bhaga.
Birth of Vamana
Virochana, the son of Prahlad, had just become the king of asuras. Just like his father, Virochana did a lot of bhakti of Vishnu. This angered Indra. He took his Vajra and threw it at Virochana, who died. Virochana’s son Bali became king. Shukracharya instructed Bali to conquer swarga as revenge for his father’s death. Bali conquered swarga and became the king of the three lokas. All the devas were held captive.
Aditi started praying to Vishnu. Soon, Vishnu came in front of her.Lord Vishnu presenting himself in front of Aditi and blessing her
“What is it that you seek,” Vishnu asked.
“I want my sons to be saved. They are being tormented by Bali,” Aditi said.
“I will do what I can,” Vishnu said and then disappeared.
Soon, a boy was born to Aditi. Aditi and Kashyapa named him Vamana. Vamana was a dwarf.
Vamana went to Bali’s yagna. He asked for land equal to three steps. Vamana turned huge. The first step was from Earth to swarga and his second from swarga to Patala. Vamana then asked what his third step should be. Bali told Vamana to step on him for the third step. Vamana turned into Vishnu and didn’t step on Bali, impressed by him. Bali remained the king of Patala, but Vamana gained back control of swarga and Earth.
Aditi became really happy as her sons were ruling swarga again.
Aditi’s Earrings
An asura named Narakasura was creating havoc. He had captured swarga and stolen Aditi’s earrings. Aditi again became really sad and furious. She again prayed to Vishnu, who told her that his avatar Krishna will kill Naraka. She waited and finally, Krishna went to Pragjyotisha where Naraka ruled and killed him. Krishna gave Aditi his earrings back and her sons began ruling swarga again.
Aditi – Mother of Gods and The Guardian Of All life
The word Aditi meaning unbound or unfetter is the name that includes proto Indo-European route ” da”, which is known as the Mother of Gods – Devamata. Aditi is believed to be the guardian of all life following, the mother of all gods. Thus, it is believed that before the creation, the universe was inside the womb of goddess Aditi. In Rig Veda, the name of goddess Aditi is mentioned eighty times as a reference to the external cyclic re-birth which is of the same divine essence and wisdom. In the Puranas, Aditi has an opponent in the form of Diti who is the mother of Daityas or Asuras, a type of demon.
Motherhood
Aditi is known as the mother of mighty Deva Indra, the King of Gods. Also, she is also known as “Devamata”, as all heavenly bodies were made through her cosmic matrix. Being a mother, Aditi is often asked to guard the one who prays or request her asking safety, satisfaction, wealth and much more. Thus, as a mother, she believed to always try fulfilling all the needs, demands and wants of their sons.
Aditi was the mother of 33 sons, out of which 12 are called Adityas (including Surya), 11 are called Rudras, 8 of them Vasus and 2 Ashwini Kumars (Ashwini Kumar are sometimes replaced by Indra and Prajapati.)
12 Adityas or द्वादशादित्य
Tvashta (त्वष्ट)
Pusha (पूषा)
Vivasvan (विवस्वान) – Vivasvant is another name for the sun god Surya, who is also known as Martanda
Mitra (मित्र)
Dhata (धाता)
Vishnu (विष्णू)
Bhaga (भग)
Varuna (वरुण)
Savitru (सवितृ)
Shakra (शक्र)
Ansha (अंश)
Aryama (अर्यमा)
11 Rudras or एकादशरुद्र
11 Rudras are said to have originated from Brahmadeva’s anger. Their names are
Manyu (मन्यु)
Manu (मनु)
Mahinas (महिनस)
Mahan (महान)
Shiv (शिव)
Rutudhvaj (ऋतुध्वज)
Ugrareta (उग्ररेता)
Bhava (भव)
Kaal (काल)
Vamdev (वामदेव)
Dhrutavrat (धृतव्रत)
8 Vasus or अष्टवसू
They are sons born from Dharma Rishi and Vasu. Their names are
Drona (द्रोण)
Pran (प्राण )
Dhruva (ध्रुव)
Aka (अक)
Agni(अग्नी)
Dosha (दोष)
Vasu (वसू)
Vibhavasu (विभासु )
Creativity
Aditi is usually mentioned in the Rig Veda, along with other gods and goddesses. According to Hindu dharma, Aditi is the creator of the creatures. It is also believed that the whole universe was inside the womb of goddess Aditi, before the creation. So, she is known as the creator of heavenly bodies as well as the mother of all 33 Koti (types) of Gods of Hinduism. She is the personification of the sky, space and the whole universe, where all gods and creatures reside. (Note: Since Koti in Sanskrit means “Types” not Crore, There are 33 types of Devas or Gods in Hinduism, not 330 Million Gods)
Appearance
Goddess Aditi mostly represents the appearance of a Cow. Plus, she is known as the Goddess of the boundless sky, as her meaning appears that she is free from all the bonds. Like many other Hindu gods and goddesses, Aditi too has a Vaahan (Vehicle), which is a rooster. It is believed that the rooster symbolizes strength and honor. Her weapons include Trisul and a Sword. It is also believed that the goddess Aditi used to kill the demons by her weapons and safeguards her worshippers against various difficulties.
Freedom
Goddess Aditi is also known for freedom. As the word, Aditi includes the root “da”, which suggest another attribute of her character. As A-diti, she is unbound, free and she is often called free from different hindrances and difficulties, especially from sin and sickness. Therefore, she can also free her worshippers from sin. Furthermore, she is also called the supporter of creatures and always used to protect them from difficulties and problems. The name Aditi fits her in all sorts of respect, as, she normally resembles changes, luck, and protection against all the obstacles coming in one’s life. She is believed to protect her worshippers against all the difficulties and provide them complete self-satisfaction, encouragement, and prosperity.
Temples
In Sangamesswara temple, which is located at Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, there is a stone sculpture of goddess Aditi. The Idol is now in the Alampur museum. Similarly, we can find another sculpture at Naganatha temple, which is located in Bijapur district of Karnataka, India and which is now in the Badami museum. Likewise, we can also find one temple of Aditi Devi near Rock Cave in vizhinjam, Kerela.
In Conclusion
According to Rig Veda, Goddess Aditi is one of the powerful and popular figures among all the divine powers. Goddess Aditi is called the protector and supporter of creatures and is a guardian goddess who helped their worshippers so that they can find a smooth path to what they were looking for. She appears as a symbol of light and hope for her worshippers. Thus, we pray Goddess Aditi whenever a person wants to get more freedom in their life. Following Goddess, Aditi appears in the form of hope, strength and a symbol of peace to her followers.
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