Overview of Rigvedic Deities

The Rigveda is one of the oldest Hindu scriptures, composed around 1500 BCE. It contains hymns and prayers to various deities, each with their own distinct characteristics and roles.

Major Deities

• Agni: The fire god, responsible for purification and sacrifice.
• Indra: The king of the gods, associated with thunder and lightning.
• Vayu: The wind god, responsible for breath and movement.
• Varuna: The god of the sky and water, associated with law and order.
• Yama: The god of death, responsible for guiding souls to the afterlife.
• Varahi: The goddess of fertility and abundance.
• Shukra: The god of fertility and creation.

Regional Deities

• Pavana: The god of the wind, worshipped in the region of Panchala.
• Shiva: The destroyer god, worshipped in the region of Kuru.
• Prithvi: The goddess of the earth, worshipped in the region of Puru.

Other Deities

• Aranyani: The goddess of the forest, worshipped by the forest-dwelling tribes.
• Shatru: The god of enemies, worshipped by the warrior classes.
• Prithvi: The goddess of the earth, worshipped in the region of Puru.