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Tvashtri (Intermediate God) In the early days of the Vedic Age, Tvashtri was a priest of such power that he dared to create a son whom he hoped would deprive Indra of his position as king of the gods. When Indra jealously destroyed this son, Tvashtri created a monster so powerful that Indra had to […]

Surya (Intermediate God) Surya is the god of the rising and setting sun. He is charged with bringing an end to night and regulating the end of the day. He is often called upon to heal diseases and to bring luck to the people. Surya has the power to put any number of beings of

Soma (Intermediate God) Soma is the god of soma-juice and the moon, as well as the lord of the stars and plants. Soma manifests himself in the soma plant, which provides a powerful juice that causes men to see hallucinations. At one time, all classes of men drank soma-juice, but when it was realized that

Siva (Intermediate God) Siva should not to be mistaken for the Hindu god “Shiva the Destroyer,” which is a composite of many older gods. Siva is such an important manifestation of Rudra (the destructive god of storms and diseases) that can be regarded as a separate deity. Siva is power incarnate, a fierce ascetic who

Savitri (Intermediate God) Savitri is the god of the day long sun. He causes all things to move and work, the tides to ebb and flow. Like his complement Surya, he sees all that occurs under the sun’s light. Unlike Surya, however, he isnot always a gentle god; what he sees sometimes angers him and

Rudra (Intermediate God) Rudra is the god of storms and disease, the bringer of death, and the malevolent deity who feeds on the corpses of those slain in battle. Because he has the power to cause disease, however, he also has the power to cure it – though he utilizes this ability far too rarely.

Ratri (Lesser God) Ratri is the magnificent queen of the night. Although she is the sovereign of darkness and all things that abide in it, she is not a personification of night. Rather, she rules the darkness as a shepherd rules his herd, by watching over it without being a part of it. Ratri has

Puchan (Intermediate God) Puchan is the god who guides, watching over travelers, ushering the dead to Varna’s realm, leading men to wealth or away from trouble, and showing herdsmen where to find good pastures for their cattle. He also brings all things into proper relationship with one another, blessing marriages, protecting men from those would

Mitra (Intermediate God) Like Surya and Savitri, Mitra is one of several Vedic solar deities. He embodies thebeneficial aspects of the sun, providing light and warmth, and making plants grow. Mitra also helps Varuna safeguardthe Cosmic Order by shining his light on all that occurs on earth, and by presiding over friendships and ratifying contracts.

Brihaspati (Intermediate God) Brihaspati is the teacher of the gods. The lord of prayer, and the heavenly priest. He is wisdom incarnate, and it was he who taught Indra the arts of government so that he could lead the gods when the Aryans first entered India. In order to teach his fellow gods the virtues