The concept of Vaishvanara in Vedic literature

by Satyanarayan Rath | 2021 | 54,875 words

Hinduism Vedic Hinduism

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Summary: This essay studies Vaishvanara—a significant Vedic concept often linked with Agni, prominently featured in twelve hymns of the Rig-Veda. The concept of Vaisvanara is explored through devices such as the linguistic derivation, associations with natural elements like the sun or moon, and connections to Vedic rituals. The study further explores its spiritual connotations in texts such as the Upanishads, Mahabharata, and Puranas.

Source 1: exoticindiaart.com
Source 2: shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in

Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the The concept of Vaishvanara in Vedic literature in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

Acknowledgement

+ Chapter 1 - Introduction

. 1. Vedic deities, concept and importance

. 2. Parenthood of the Vedic gods

. 3. Number of the Vedic-gods

. 4. Classification of the Vedic gods

. 5. Characteristics of the Vedic gods

. 6. Agni as a Vedic god

. 7. Etymology of Agni

. 8. Common Characteristics of Agni

. 9.1. Agni as Tanunapāt

. 9.2. Agni as Narāśaṃsa

. 9.3. Agni as Draviṇodā

. 9.4. Agni as the Son of Strength (Sahasaḥ Sūnu)

. 9.5. Agni as Jātavedas

. 9.6. Agni as Vaiśvānara

. 10. Vaiśvānara in the Upaniṣads

. 11. Vaiśvānara in the Brahmasūtra:

. 12. Vaiśvānara as an Independent Deity

+ Chapter 2 - Derivations, etymology and meaning of Vaiśvānara

. 1. Prolouge (to the spiritual meaning of words)

. 2. Etymology of Yāska

. 3.1. Salient Features of Yāska’s Etymology (Introduction)

. 3.2. Words (to be derived) with secondary affixes (Taddhita)

. 3.3. Words to be divided in compounds (Samāsa)

. 4. Vaiśvānara, an overview

. 5. Vaiśvānara in the Nirukta

. 6. Yāska’s opinion on Vaiśvānara

. 7. Various concepts of Vaiśvānara

. 8. Vaiśvānara in Brāhmaṇas and Upaniṣads

. 9. Vaiśvānara in the Allied Literature

+ Chapter 3 - The natural concept of Vaiśvānara

. 1. Prolouge (to the Vedic concept of nature)

. 2. The Naturalistic Interpretation of Vedic Mantras

. 3. Vaiśvānara as the Fire of the Sacrifice

. 4. Vaiśvānara as Celestial Fire

. 5. Vaiśvānara as Aerial Fire (Vidyut)

. 6. Dual character of Agni Vaiśvānara

+ Chapter 4 - The ritualistic concept of Vaiśvānara

. 1. Prolouge (the word ritual)

. 2. Sacrifice in the Saṃhitās

. 3. Sacrifice in the Ṛg-Veda

. 4. Sacrifice in the Atharva-Veda

. 5. Sacrifice in the Yajur-Veda

. 6. Varieties of Sacrifice (Yajña)

. 7. Vaiśvānara in the Ṛg-Veda

. 8. Vaiśvānara in the Yajur-Veda

. 9. Vaiśvānara in the Atharva-Veda

. 10. Vaiśvānara as Funeral Fire

+ Chapter 5 - The spiritual concept of Vaiśvānara

. 1. Prolouge (the spiritual interpretations)

. 2. Spirituality, it’s meaning and scope

. 3. Vaiśvānara as Immortal (Amartya):

. 4. Vaiśvānara As ‘Steady Light’ (Jyoti)

. 5. Vaiśvānara and Universal Order (Ṛta)

. 6. Vaiśvānara related to Intellect (Prajñā)

. 7. Vaiśvānara in Brāhmaṇas and Upaniṣads

. 8. Vaiśvānara in Allied Literature

+ Chapter 6 - The secular concept of Vaiśvānara

. 1. Prolouge (the secular interpretation)

. 2. Vaiśvānara as a Leader

. 3. Vaiśvānara As A Brilliant Teacher

. 4. Vaiśvānara as Good Leader

. 5. Vaiśvānara in Yajur-Veda

. 6. Vaiśvānara as Giver of Happiness

. 7. Vaiśvānara as Ruler or Commander

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Last Updated: 01 January, 2025

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