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{{Short description|Vedic god}} | {{Short description|Vedic god}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date= | {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2016}} | {{Use Indian English|date=March 2016}} | ||
{{Infobox deity | {{Infobox deity | ||
| type = Hindu | | type = Hindu | ||
| devanagari = | | devanagari = द्यौस् | ||
| affiliation = [[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]], [[Pancha Bhoota]] | | symbol = [[Zebu|Bull]] | ||
| affiliation = [[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]], [[Pancha Bhoota|Pancha Bhuta]] | |||
| abode = [[Dyuloka]], Sky ({{IAST|ākāśa}}, {{lang|sa|आकाश}}) | | abode = [[Dyuloka]], Sky ({{IAST|ākāśa}}, {{lang|sa|आकाश}}) | ||
| member_of = | | member_of = [[Thirty-three gods]] | ||
| other_names = [[Akasha]] | | other_names = [[Akasha]] | ||
| deity_of = | | deity_of = [[Sky god|Personification of the Sky]] | ||
| consort = [[Prithvi]] | | consort = [[Prithvi]] | ||
| offspring = [[Surya]], [[Ushas]], and the [[Rigvedic deities|other gods]] | | offspring = [[Indra]], [[Surya]], [[Ushas]], and the [[Rigvedic deities|other gods]] | ||
| texts = [[Rigveda]] | | texts = [[Rigveda]] | ||
| Greek_equivalent = [[ | | Greek_equivalent = [[Uranus (mythology)|Ouranos]] (Functional equivalent)<br>[[Zeus]] (mainly etymological)<ref>Zeus's main Hindu equivalent is Indra. {{Cite web |date=2023-10-23 |title=Indra {{!}} Hindu God of War, Rain & Thunder {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Indra |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> | ||
| Roman_equivalent = [[Caelus]] (Functional equivalent) <br> [[Jupiter (mythology)|Jupiter]] (mainly etymological) | |||
}} | | Norse_equivalent = [[Odin]] (as the Father of the gods) <br> [[Tyr]] (mainly etymological) | ||
{{ | | Indo-european_equivalent = [[Dyēus]] | ||
| image = | |||
| caption = | |||
}}{{Hinduism small}} | |||
'''Dyaus''' ([[Vedic Sanskrit]]: द्यौस्, {{IAST3|Dyáus}}) or '''Dyauspitr''' ([[Vedic Sanskrit]]: द्यौष्पितृ, {{IAST3|Dyáuṣpitṛ́}}) is the [[Rigvedic deities|Rigvedic]] sky deity. His consort is [[Prithvi]], the earth goddess, and together they are the archetypal parents in the [[Rigveda]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Shri |first=Satya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mMf1DQAAQBAJ&dq=dyaus+rigveda&pg=PT253 |title=Demystifying Brahminism and Re-Inventing Hinduism: Volume 1 - Demystifying Brahminism |date=23 January 2017 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=978-1-946515-54-4 |language=en}}</ref> | |||
== Etymology == | |||
{{IAST|Dyauṣ}} stems from [[Proto-Indo-Iranian language|Proto-Indo-Iranian]] [[wikt:Reconstruction:Proto-Indo-Iranian/dyā́wš|''*dyā́wš'']], from the [[Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European]] (PIE) daylight-sky god {{lang|ine-x-proto|[[*Dyēus]]|proto=no}}, and is [[cognate]] with the Greek {{lang|grc|Διας}} – ''[[Zeus|Zeus Patēr]]'', or ''[[Deipaturos|Dei-pátrous]]'', and Latin [[Jupiter (mythology)|''Jupiter'']] (from Old Latin [[Dies piter]] {{lang|la|Djous patēr}}), stemming from the PIE {{lang|ine-x-proto|Dyḗus ph₂tḗr|proto=no}} ("Daylight-sky Father").''{{Sfn|West|2007|p=171}}'' | |||
The noun {{IAST|dyaús}} (when used without the {{IAST|pitṛ́}} 'father') refers to the daylight sky, and occurs frequently in the [[Rigveda]], as an entity. The sky in Vedic writing was described as rising in three tiers: {{IAST|avamá}}, {{IAST|madhyamá}}, and {{IAST|uttamá}} or {{IAST|tṛtī́ya}}.<ref>[[Rigveda|Ṛg·veda]], 5.60.6.</ref> | |||
== Literature == | |||
Dyáuṣ Pitṛ́ appears in hymns with [[Prithvi|Prithvi Mata]], 'Mother Earth' in the ancient Vedic scriptures of [[Hinduism]].<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Leeming|first1=David|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kjO6CwAAQBAJ&pg=PT17|title=The Goddess: Myths of the Great Mother|last2=Fee|first2=Christopher|date=2016|publisher=Reaktion Books|isbn=978-1-78023-538-7|language=en}}</ref> | |||
In the Ṛg·veda, ''Dyáuṣ Pitṛ́'' appears in verses 1.89.4, 1.90.7, 1.164.33, 1.191.6, 4.1.10. and 4.17.4<ref>Sanskrit: [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/ऋग्वेदः Ṛg·veda], Wikisource; translation: Ralph T. H. Griffith [[wikisource:The Rig Veda|Rigveda]], Wikisource</ref> He is also referred to under different theonyms: Dyavaprithvi, for example, is a [[dvandva compound]] combining 'heaven' and 'earth' as Dyauṣ and [[Prithvi]]. | |||
Dyauṣ is | Dyauṣ's most defining trait is his paternal role.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Macdonell|first=Arthur Anthony|title=Vedic Mythology|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1897|pages=21–22}}</ref> His daughter, [[Ushas|Uṣas]], personifies dawn.<ref>{{cite book|first=Roshen|last=Dalal|author-link=Roshen Dalal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zrk0AwAAQBAJ|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|publisher=[[Penguin Books]]|year=2014|isbn = 9788184752779}} Entry: "Dyaus"</ref> The gods, especially Sūrya, are stated to be the children of Dyauṣ and Prithvi.<ref name=":1" /> Dyauṣ's other sons include Agni, [[Parjanya]], the [[Ādityas]], the [[Maruts]], and the Angirases.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> The [[Ashvins]] are called "''divó nápāt''", meaning offspring/progeny/grandsons of Dyauṣ.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book|last=West|first=M. L.|title=Indo-European Poetry and Myth|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2007|isbn=978-0-19-928-075-9|pages=187}}</ref> Dyauṣ is often visualized as a roaring animal, often a bull, who fertilizes the earth.<ref name=":0" /> Dyauṣ is also known for the rape of his own daughter,<ref>{{Cite book |last=York |first=Michael |title=Pagan Ethics: Paganism as a World Religion |date=2016 |publisher=Springer International Publishing : Imprint: Springer |isbn=978-3-319-18923-9 |edition=1st ed. 2016 |location=Cham |pages=313}}</ref> which Jamison and Brereton (2014) state is "obliquely but vividly" mentioned in the Rigveda.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last1=Jamison|first1=Stephanie|first2=Joel P. |last2=Brereton|title=The Rigveda –– The Earliest Religious Poetry of India|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2014|pages=50–51}}</ref> | ||
Indra's separation of Dyauṣ and Prithvi is celebrated in the Rigveda as an important creation myth.<ref name=":1" /> | Dyauṣ is also stated to be like a black stallion studded with pearls in a simile with the night sky.<ref name=":0" />{{Sfn|Jamison|Brereton|2014|p=1492}} | ||
[[Indra]]'s separation of Dyauṣ and Prithvi is celebrated in the Rigveda as an important creation myth.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
In the Mahabharata [[Bhishma]] is the human incarnation of Dyaus after the [[Vasu]]s got cursed to living a human life on earth for stealing from [[Vasishtha]] out of pride and desire. 7 of the [[Vasu]]s got forgiven quickly but Dyaus the one who lead the act by physically stealing from [[Vasistha]] was singled out to remain on earth for a long duration, while the others were liberated shortly after birth. Dyaus incarnated as Devavrata, who later became known as [[Bhishma]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Ganguli |first=Kisari Mohan |title=The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa |year=1883–1896 |publisher=Bharata Press |chapter=Section XCIX: Sambhava Parva |url=https://sacred-texts.com |access-date=2026-01-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://aryaakasha.com/2023/05/14/on-bhishma-as-sky-father-incarnate-a-guest-post-with-annotations/ |title=On Bhishma as Sky Father Incarnate: A Guest Post With Annotations |website=Arya Akasha |date=May 14, 2023 |access-date=2026-01-20}}</ref>. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Dyēus]] | *[[Dyēus]] | ||
*[[Dis Pater]] | |||
*[[Rigvedic deities]] | *[[Rigvedic deities]] | ||
*[[Uranus (mythology)]] | *[[Uranus (mythology)]] | ||
| Line 43: | Line 51: | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
{{refbegin}} | {{refbegin}} | ||
*{{cite book |first=Thomas |last=Oberlies |title=Die Religion des Rgveda |location=Vienna |date=1998}} | *{{cite book |first=Thomas |last=Oberlies |title=Die Religion des Rgveda |location=Vienna |publisher= Institut für Indologie der Universität Wien |date=1998}} | ||
{{refend}} | {{refend}} | ||
| Line 52: | Line 60: | ||
[[Category:Rigvedic deities]] | [[Category:Rigvedic deities]] | ||
[[Category:Sky and weather gods]] | [[Category:Sky and weather gods]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:European deities]] | ||
Latest revision as of 05:27, 6 February 2026
| Dyaus | |
|---|---|
| Member of Thirty-three gods | |
| Other names | Akasha |
| Devanagari | द्यौस् |
| Affiliation | Deva, Pancha Bhuta |
| Abode | Dyuloka, Sky (ākāśa, आकाश) |
| Symbol | Bull |
| Texts | Rigveda |
| Consort | Prithvi |
| Offspring | Indra, Surya, Ushas, and the other gods |
| Greek equivalent | Ouranos (Functional equivalent) Zeus (mainly etymological)[1] |
| Roman equivalent | Caelus (Functional equivalent) Jupiter (mainly etymological) |
| Norse equivalent | Odin (as the Father of the gods) Tyr (mainly etymological) |
| Part of a series on |
| Hinduism |
|---|
 |
Dyaus (Vedic Sanskrit: द्यौस्, IAST: Dyáus) or Dyauspitr (Vedic Sanskrit: द्यौष्पितृ, IAST: Dyáuṣpitṛ́) is the Rigvedic sky deity. His consort is Prithvi, the earth goddess, and together they are the archetypal parents in the Rigveda.[2]
Etymology[edit | edit source]
Dyauṣ stems from Proto-Indo-Iranian *dyā́wš, from the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) daylight-sky god *Dyēus, and is cognate with the Greek Διας – Zeus Patēr, or Dei-pátrous, and Latin Jupiter (from Old Latin Dies piter Djous patēr), stemming from the PIE Dyḗus ph₂tḗr ("Daylight-sky Father").[3]
The noun dyaús (when used without the pitṛ́ 'father') refers to the daylight sky, and occurs frequently in the Rigveda, as an entity. The sky in Vedic writing was described as rising in three tiers: avamá, madhyamá, and uttamá or tṛtī́ya.[4]
Literature[edit | edit source]
Dyáuṣ Pitṛ́ appears in hymns with Prithvi Mata, 'Mother Earth' in the ancient Vedic scriptures of Hinduism.[5]
In the Ṛg·veda, Dyáuṣ Pitṛ́ appears in verses 1.89.4, 1.90.7, 1.164.33, 1.191.6, 4.1.10. and 4.17.4[6] He is also referred to under different theonyms: Dyavaprithvi, for example, is a dvandva compound combining 'heaven' and 'earth' as Dyauṣ and Prithvi.
Dyauṣ's most defining trait is his paternal role.[7] His daughter, Uṣas, personifies dawn.[8] The gods, especially Sūrya, are stated to be the children of Dyauṣ and Prithvi.[9] Dyauṣ's other sons include Agni, Parjanya, the Ādityas, the Maruts, and the Angirases.[7][9] The Ashvins are called "divó nápāt", meaning offspring/progeny/grandsons of Dyauṣ.[7][10] Dyauṣ is often visualized as a roaring animal, often a bull, who fertilizes the earth.[7] Dyauṣ is also known for the rape of his own daughter,[11] which Jamison and Brereton (2014) state is "obliquely but vividly" mentioned in the Rigveda.[9]
Dyauṣ is also stated to be like a black stallion studded with pearls in a simile with the night sky.[7][12]
Indra's separation of Dyauṣ and Prithvi is celebrated in the Rigveda as an important creation myth.[9]
In the Mahabharata Bhishma is the human incarnation of Dyaus after the Vasus got cursed to living a human life on earth for stealing from Vasishtha out of pride and desire. 7 of the Vasus got forgiven quickly but Dyaus the one who lead the act by physically stealing from Vasistha was singled out to remain on earth for a long duration, while the others were liberated shortly after birth. Dyaus incarnated as Devavrata, who later became known as Bhishma.[13][14].
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Zeus's main Hindu equivalent is Indra. "Indra | Hindu God of War, Rain & Thunder | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
- ↑ Shri, Satya (23 January 2017). Demystifying Brahminism and Re-Inventing Hinduism: Volume 1 - Demystifying Brahminism. Notion Press. ISBN 978-1-946515-54-4.
- ↑ West 2007, p. 171.
- ↑ Ṛg·veda, 5.60.6.
- ↑ Leeming, David; Fee, Christopher (2016). The Goddess: Myths of the Great Mother. Reaktion Books. ISBN 978-1-78023-538-7.
- ↑ Sanskrit: Ṛg·veda, Wikisource; translation: Ralph T. H. Griffith Rigveda, Wikisource
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Macdonell, Arthur Anthony (1897). Vedic Mythology. Oxford University Press. pp. 21–22.
- ↑ Dalal, Roshen (2014). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin Books. ISBN 9788184752779. Entry: "Dyaus"
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Jamison, Stephanie; Brereton, Joel P. (2014). The Rigveda –– The Earliest Religious Poetry of India. Oxford University Press. pp. 50–51.
- ↑ West, M. L. (2007). Indo-European Poetry and Myth. Oxford University Press. p. 187. ISBN 978-0-19-928-075-9.
- ↑ York, Michael (2016). Pagan Ethics: Paganism as a World Religion (1st ed. 2016 ed.). Cham: Springer International Publishing : Imprint: Springer. p. 313. ISBN 978-3-319-18923-9.
- ↑ Jamison & Brereton 2014, p. 1492.
- ↑ Ganguli, Kisari Mohan (1883–1896). "Section XCIX: Sambhava Parva". The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa. Bharata Press. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- ↑ "On Bhishma as Sky Father Incarnate: A Guest Post With Annotations". Arya Akasha. 14 May 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- Oberlies, Thomas (1998). Die Religion des Rgveda. Vienna: Institut für Indologie der Universität Wien.