Vivasvan, Vivasvān: 7 definitions
Introduction:
Vivasvan means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Vivasvān (विवस्वान्) refers to one of the 53 gods to be worshipped and given pāyasa (rice boiled in milk) according to the Vāstuyāga rite in Śaktism (cf. Śāradātilaka-tantra III-V). The worship of these 53 gods happens after assigning them to one of the 64 compartment while constructing a Balimaṇḍapa. Vāstu is the name of a prodigious demon, who was killed by 53 gods (e.g., Vivasvān).
Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
1) Vivasvān (विवस्वान्).—The Sun. General information. Sūrya (Sun) has a large number of synonyms. But prominence is given to two of them, Mārtaṇḍa and Vivasvān in the Purāṇas. Twelve devas were born to Prajāpati Kaśyapa by his wife Aditi. As these twelve were the sons of Aditi they were called Ādityas. The Dvādaśādityas (the twelve Ādityas) are Viṣṇu, Śakra, Aryaman, Dhātā, Tvaṣṭā, Pūṣā Vivasvān, Savitā, Mitra, Varuṇa, Aṃśu and Bhaga. These twelve Ādityas were, in the previous Manvantara (Age of Manu) of Manu Cākṣuṣa, twelve Devas called the Tuṣitas. When the Cākṣuṣa Manvantara came to an end and the Vaivasvata Manvantara was about to begin, the twelve Tuṣitas met together and after a consultation, they took birth as the sons of Aditi. In this birth they were known by the name Dvādaśādityas. (Viṣṇu Purāṇa, Aṃśa 1, Chapter 15). (See full article at Story of Vivasvān from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)
2) Vivasvān (विवस्वान्).—An asura. Mention is made in Mahābhārata. Udyoga Parva, Chapter 105, Stanza 12, that this asura was killed by Garuḍa.
3) Vivasvān (विवस्वान्).—An eternal god concerned with offerings to the Manes. (Mahābhārata Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 91, Stanza 31).
4) Vivasvān (विवस्वान्).—The first human being who performed sacrifice. This Vivasvān is considered to be the father of Manu and Yama. (Ṛgveda 8. 52; 10; 14, 16). In Taittirīyasaṃhitā, mention is made that people of the earth are the children of this Vivasvān. (Taittirīya Saṃhitā, 6. 5. 6).
Vivasvān (विवस्वान्) is the name of one of the twelve Ādityas: the offspring of Aditi, according to one account of Vaṃśa (‘genealogical description’) of the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, Dakṣa gave thirteen daughters to Kaśyapa. [...] Kaśyapa’s thirteen wives are [viz., Aditi]. Aditi gives birth to twelve Ādityas, [viz. Vivasvān].
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Vivasvān (विवस्वान्):—The son of Kaśyapa (son of Marīci), by the womb of Aditi. Vivasvān, by the womb of Saṃjñā, begat Śrāddhadeva Manu (or Vaivasvata Manu) (Bhāgavata-pūraṇa 9.1.11-12)
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Vivasvan (विवस्वन्).—[adjective] (only [instrumental] [plural]) = seq. adj.
Vivasvan (विवस्वन्):—[=vi-vasvan] [from vi-vasvat > vi-vas] only in [instrumental case] [plural] ([probably] = ‘to shine forth’), [Ṛg-veda i, 187, 7.]
Vivasvan (विवस्वन्):—(von 2. vas mit vi) adj. so v. a. vivasvant. a.nimīdhe vi.asvabhiḥ (instr. pl. im Sinne eines adv.) Agni entzünde ich, so dass es aufleuchtet, [Ṛgveda 8, 91, 22.] n. etwa das Aufleuchtende, zuerst vom Licht Bestrahlte d. h. Gipfel: yada.o pito.ajaganvi.asva.parvatānām [1, 187, 8.] Vielleicht ist die Stelle verdorben, nach [Sāyaṇa] als gen. pl. zu fassen.
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+0): Vivasvamta, Vivasvana, Vivasvant.
Full-text (+47): Ikshvaku, Rajni, Aditya, Aditi, Vaivasvata Manu, Vivaccuvan, Ashavaha, Pancopasana, Vishti, Yami, Dionysus, Mucukunda, Aryaman, Mandhata, Nriga, Janaka, Suryavamsha, Bhagiratha, Vivasvat, Dvadashatman.
Relevant text
Search found 57 books and stories containing Vivasvan, Vi-vasvan, Vivasvān; (plurals include: Vivasvans, vasvans, Vivasvāns). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Brahma Purana (by G. P. Bhatt)
The tenth Mandala of the Rigveda (study) (by Rupsmita Buzarbaruah)
Part 1.1 - Dialogue between Yama and Yamī < [Chapter 2 - The contents of the tenth Maṇḍala]
Linga Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 59 - The form of solar rays (sūryaraśmi-svarūpa) < [Section 1 - Uttarabhāga]
Chapter 61 - The situation of the planets (graha-saṃkhyā) < [Section 1 - Uttarabhāga]
Chapter 55 - The Sun’s Chariot (sūryaratha) < [Section 1 - Uttarabhāga]
Harivamsha Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter 9 - Account of the Sun’s Offspring < [Book 1 - Harivamsa Parva]
Chapter 38 - An Account of Svyamantaka Jewel < [Book 1 - Harivamsa Parva]
Chapter 103 - Narada Describes the Feat of Krishna (continued) < [Book 2 - Vishnu Parva]
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
Brahma Purana (critical study) (by Surabhi H. Trivedi)
10. Description of Brahma (Prajapati) < [Mythology]
33. Description of Aditi < [Mythology]