Editing Aditi

{{short description|Hindu mother goddess}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| deity_of = Goddess of the sky, consciousness, the past, the future, and fertility<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/aditi | title=Aditi: 26 definitions | date=11 April 2009 }}</ref>
| image = Lord Brahma and Adhiti - 19th Century Illustration.jpg
| caption = Aditi praying to the god Brahma
| affiliation = ''[[Devi]]'', [[Devaki]]
| children = 
* [[Adityas]], including [[Indra]], [[Surya]], [[Bhaga]], [[Varuna]], [[Mitra (Vedic)|Mitra]], [[Aryaman]], [[Savitr]], and [[Vamana]]
* [[Rudras]]
* [[Vasus]]<ref name=Jamison-Brereton-2015/><ref name=Mani-2015/>
| texts = ''[[Rigveda]]'', ''[[Puranas]]'', ''[[Ramayana]]'', ''[[Mahabharata]]''
| consort = [[Kashyapa]]
| mount = 
| weapons = [[Sword]], ''[[Trishula]]''
| father = [[Daksha]]
| mother = [[Asikni (goddess)|Asikni]]
| name = Aditi
| siblings = [[Diti]], [[Kadru]], [[Vinata]], [[Sati (Hindu goddess)|Sati]], [[Smriti]] [[Swaha]], [[Rohini (goddess)|Rohini]], Revati, [[Danu (Asura)|Danu]], Muni and many other brothers and sisters
}}
'''Aditi'''  ([[Sanskrit]]: अदिति, lit. 'boundless' or 'limitless'{{efn|From ''a-'' ([[privative a]] and ''diti'' "bound," which is from the Proto Indo-European root *''da-'' "to bind."}} or 'innocence'<ref name=Jamison-Brereton-2015/>)  is an important [[Vedas|Vedic]] [[goddess]] in [[Hinduism]]. 

She is the personification of the sprawling infinite and vast cosmos. She is the goddess of motherhood, [[consciousness]], [[unconsciousness]], the [[past]], the [[future]], and [[fertility]].<ref name="E-Brit-Aditi" /> She is the mother of the celestial deities known as the [[adityas]], and is referred to as the mother of many deities. As celestial mother of numerous beings, the synthesis of all things, she is associated with space (''akasha'') and with mystic speech (''[[Vāc]]''). She may be seen as a feminine form of [[Brahma]], and associated with the primal substance (''mulaprakriti'') in the [[Vedanta]]. She is mentioned more than 250 times in the ''[[Rigveda]],'' the verses replete with her praise.

== Family ==
Aditi is the daughter of [[Daksha]] and [[Panchajani|Asikni]] (Panchajani). The ''[[Puranas]]'', such as the ''[[Shiva Purana]]'' and the ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'', suggest that Daksha married all of his daughters off to different people, including Aditi and 12 others to Sage Kashyapa. When Kashyapa was living with Aditi and Diti in his ashrama, he was really pleased with Aditi's services, and told her to ask for a boon. Aditi prayed for one ideal son. Accordingly, [[Indra]] was born. Later, Aditi gave birth to the twelve adityas, namely [[Varuna]], [[Parjanya]], [[Mitra (Vedic)|Mitra]], [[Ansa (Hinduism)|Amsha]], [[Pushan]], [[Dhatri]], [[Aryaman]], [[Surya]], [[Bhaga]], [[Savitr]], [[Vamana]], and Viṣṇu.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2011-12-19 |title=Aditya, Āditya: 38 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/aditya |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name=Gopal-1990-p62/> Her 16 younger sisters were also married to Sage [[Kashyapa]].

== Origin ==
The first mention of Aditi is found in ''[[Rigveda]]'', which is dated by mainstream consensus to have been composed between 1800 and 1200 BCE.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Thomas.|first=Oberlies|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/174616106|title=Das religiöse System des Ṛgveda|date=1998|isbn=3-900271-31-3|oclc=174616106}}</ref> She is portrayed as the mother of the [[Ādityas|Adityas]], a group of societal Rigvedic deities, including [[Varuna]], [[Mitra (Vedic)|Mitra]], [[Aryaman]], [[Daksha]], [[Bhaga]], Amsha, and sometimes [[Surya]] and [[Savitr|Savitar]]. As the mother of the societal deities, she represented the compliance to social behavior. Her motherhood was also an important attribute, and later was expanded so that she became the mother of all deities.<ref name=Jamison-Brereton-2015/>

According to the [[Shatapatha Brahmana]] (a commentary on the [[Yajurveda|Shukla Yajurveda]]), Aditi is also invoked during ritual [[Yajna|sacrificial]] offerings as being synonymous with the Earth:

{{blockquote|<nowiki>'</nowiki>On the navel of the earth I place thee!' And further, 'In the lap of Aditi (the boundless or inviolable earth)!' for when people guard anything very carefully, they commonly say that 'they, as it were, carried it in their lap;' and this is the reason why he says, 'In the lap of Aditi!<nowiki>'</nowiki>|source=Satapatha Bramanda (translator [[Julius Eggeling]], 1882), 1:1:2:23<ref name=Satap-Bram-1882/>}}

== Attributes ==
===Motherhood===
[[File:Surya gave boon to adithi.png|170px|thumb|Aditi prays to Surya]]
Aditi and the sage Kashyapa had 33 sons, out of whom twelve are called [[Âdityas|Ādityas]] including [[Surya]], eleven are called [[Rudras]], and eight are called [[Vasus]].<ref name=Sathyam-Anct-Sags-173/>
Aditi is said to be the mother of the great god [[Indra]], the mother of kings ([[Mandala 2]].27) and the mother of gods ([[Mandala 1]].113.19). In the ''Vedas'', Aditi is Devamata (mother of the celestial gods) as from and in her cosmic matrix all the heavenly bodies were born. She is preeminently the mother of 12 Âdityas, whose names include [[Vivasvan|{{IAST|Vivasvān}}]], [[Aryaman|{{IAST|Aryamā}}]], [[Pushan|{{IAST|Pūṣā}}]], [[Tvastar|{{IAST|Tvaṣṭā}}]], [[Savitr|Savitar]], [[Bhaga]], [[Dhatri|{{IAST|Dhātā}}]], [[Varuna|{{IAST|Varuṇa}}]], [[Mitra (Vedic)|Mitra]], and [[Indra|{{IAST|Śakra}}]].

She is also the mother of the [[Vamana]], ''avatar'' of [[Vishnu]].<ref name=Vendabase-Bhagavatam-6/> Accordingly, the Vamana ''avatar'', as the son of Aditi was born in the month of [[Shravana]] (fourth month of the [[Hindu Calendar]], also called [[Shravana|Avani]]) under the star Shravana. Many auspicious signs appeared in the heavens, foretelling the good fortune of this child.

In the ''Rigveda'', Aditi is one of the most important figures of all. As a mothering presence, Aditi is often asked to guard the one who petitions her ([[Mandala 1]].106.7; [[Mandala 8]].18.6) or to provide him or her with wealth, safety, and abundance ([[Mandala 10]].100; 1.94.15).

===Creativity===
[[File:Surya family.png|thumb|Family tree of Aditi]]

Aditi is usually mentioned in the ''Rigveda'' along with other gods and goddesses. There is no one hymn addressed exclusively to her, unlike other Vedic gods. Since She is perhaps not related to a particular natural phenomenon like other gods. Compared to [[Ushas]] and [[Prithvi]], Aditi can be defined as the cosmic creator.

The verse "[[Daksha]] sprang from Aditi and Aditi from Daksha" is seen by [[Theosophy (Boehmian)|Theosophists]] as a reference to "the eternal cyclic re-birth of the same divine Essence"<ref>''[[The Secret Doctrine]]'' 2:247n</ref> and divine wisdom.<ref name=theosociety/>

===Freedom===
The name Aditi includes the root "da" (to bind or fetter) and suggests another attribute of her character. As A-diti, she is an unbound, free soul and it is evident in the hymns to her that she is often called to free the petitioner from different hindrances, especially sin and sickness. ([[Mandala 2]].27.14). In one hymn, she is asked to free a petitioner who has been tied up like a thief ([[Mandala 8]].67.14). As one who unbinds, her role is similar to her son Varuna's as guardian of [[Rta]], cosmic moral order. She is called the supporter of creatures ([[Mandala 1]].136).

===Might===
Aditi was attributed the status of ''first deity'' by the Vedic culture, although she is not the only one attributed this status in the ''Vedas''. She is addressed in the Rigveda as "mighty" and revered as the eternal mother of all creation.{{citation needed|date=September 2008}}

===Others===
Like many other Hindu gods and goddesses, Aditi has a ''[[vahana]]'' (a mount). Aditi flies across the boundless sky on a phoenix.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Das |first=Aditii |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2TJjEAAAQBAJ&dq=aditi+mount&pg=PT90 |title=Mystic Tales |date=2022-01-18 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=979-8-88530-354-5 |pages=90 |language=en}}</ref> The phoenix symbolizes strength, honour, but most importantly, reflects Aditi's nature of cyclical rebirth and infinite creation. 

Her weapons include the famous ''[[trishula]],'' and a sword. 

Aditi is described to possess a pair of earrings, which are stolen from her by the [[asura]] named [[Narakasura|Naraka]]. [[Krishna]] returns the earrings to her after slaying the asura with his consort, [[Satyabhama]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bryant |first=Edwin Francis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HVDqCkW1WpUC&dq=aditi+earrings&pg=PA29 |title=Krishna: A Sourcebook |date=2007 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-803400-1 |pages=29 |language=en}}</ref> 

== Worship ==
A well known old temple of Aditi is located near rock cut cave in Vizhinjam, [[Kerala]].{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

== See also ==
{{portal|Hinduism}}

* [[Payovrata]]
* [[Adityas]]
* [[Surya Namaskar]]
* [[Solar deity#Hinduism|Sun worship in Hinduism]]
* [[List of solar deities#Hindu|List of solar deities in Hinduism]]
* [[Sun temple#Hindu|List of Surya temples]]
* [[List of Hindu deities]]
* [[Hindu pilgrimage sites|List of Hindu pilgrimage sites]]
* [[List of Hindu temples]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|25em|refs=

<ref name=E-Brit-Aditi>
{{cite encyclopedia
 |title=Aditi (Hindu deity)
 |series=Ancient Religions & Mythology
 |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica
 |date=1998-06-20
 |id=5981
 |url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/5981
 |access-date=2021-06-30  }}
</ref>

<ref name=Gopal-1990-p62>
{{cite book
 |last=Gopal |first=Madan
 |year=1990
 |title=India through the Ages
 |page=[https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/62 62]
 |editor=Gautam, K.S.
 |publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India
 |url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada
 |via=Archive.org
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Jamison-Brereton-2015>
{{cite book
 |last1=Jamison |first1=Stephanie
 |last2=Brereton |first2=Joel
 |year=2015
 |title=The Rigveda — Earliest Religious Poetry of India
 |pages=43
 |publisher=Oxford University Press
 |isbn=978-0190633394
 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1LTRDwAAQBAJ
 |via=Google Books
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Mani-2015>
{{cite book
 |last=Mani |first=Vettam
 |year=2015 
 |title=Puranic Encyclopedia: A comprehensive work with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature
 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass
 |isbn=978-81-208-0597-2
 |language=en
 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mvXsDwAAQBAJ&q=aditi&pg=PP5
 |via=Google Books
}}
</ref>

<!-- Not in use
<ref name=Oberlies-1998>
Oberlies (1998){{full citation|date=June 2021}}

 The original text in the footnote
{{efn|name=Oberlies-1998-dating}}
 originally contained nothing more than
          Oberlies (1998)
 inline, in its text (with page numbers). That's it.
 I would guess that it was cut-and-pasted out of another
 article, by someone who was accustomed to sloppy
 reference-keeping, since the full article or book
 reference to whatever Oberlies wrote in 1998 did
 not manage to come along with the footnote. This might
 best be emended by either someone familiar with the
 field who recognizes the citation, or who recalls it
 from a related article (perhaps the [[Ādityas]]? Or
 who knows a respectable replacement estimate that
 is more recent and well vetted. I am none of those.
 
</ref> 
Not in use-->

<ref name=Sathyam-Anct-Sags-173>
{{cite book
 |last=Sathyamayananda |first=Swami
 |title=Ancient Sages
 |year=2012
 |page=173
 |publisher=Sri Ramakrishna Math
 |location=Mylapore, Chennai
 |isbn=978-81-7505-356-4
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Satap-Bram-1882>
{{cite book
 |title=Satapatha Brahmana Part 1 (SBE12)
 |chapter=First Kânda: I, 1, 2. Second Brâhmana
 |translator=[[Julius Eggeling|Eggeling, Julius]]
 |edition=1882
 |chapter-url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sbr/sbe12/sbe1204.htm
 |access-date=2019-12-28
 |via=www.sacred-texts.com
}}</ref>

<ref name=theosociety>
{{cite book
 |chapter=Adi-Ag
 |title=Encyclopedic Theosophical Glossary
 |publisher=The Theosophical Society
 |chapter-url=http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/etgloss/adi-ag.htm
 |via=Theosociety.org
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Vendabase-Bhagavatam-6>
{{cite book
 |title=Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 6
 |chapter=Chapter 6 Verses 38-39
 |via=Vedabase.net
 |chapter-url=http://vedabase.net/sb/6/6/38-39/en
 |access-date=2012-08-13  |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320093126/http://vedabase.net/sb/6/6/38-39/en
 |archive-date=20 March 2012
}}
</ref>

}} <!-- end "refs=" -->

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book
 |last=Kinsley |first=David
 |year=1998
 |title=Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the divine feminine in the Hindu religious traditions
 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publications
 |isbn=978-81-208-0394-7
}}

== External links ==
{{commons category-inline}}
* {{cite web
 |title=Aditi
 |series=Quotes from the Bhagavad-gītā
 |website=vaniquotes.org
 |url=http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Category:Aditi}}

{{Hindu Culture and Epics}}

[[Category:Hindu goddesses]]
[[Category:Fertility goddesses]]
[[Category:Creator goddesses]]
[[Category:Sky and weather goddesses]]
[[Category:Daughters of Daksha]]