Rigvedic Theology: The One Being, the Gods, and the Ordered Cosmos

The One Being is both the source and the encompassing ground of all existence (RV 10.129, 10.82). At the beginning, he remained unmanifest, and first brought forth his seed as the Waters, which carried the cosmic embryo in the form of Fire, the single life-principle of the Gods. From this Fire borne in the Waters, creation unfolded (RV 2.35.2).

The One Being is everything that has been, everything that is, and everything that will be (RV 10.90). Heaven is his head, the Sun his eye, Soma his mind, the Stars his form, the Directions his ears, the Atmosphere his navel, the Wind his breath, the Waters his seed, Fire his mouth, and the Earth his feet. The One Being alone acts through these cosmographic elements, which are therefore revered as Gods.

The Gods are also personal manifestations through which the One Being communicates and engages with created beings (RV 1.164.46). The poets speak of the One Being by many names (RV 1.164.46), depending on the aspect under which the poet invokes him: as Creator (Prajapati, RV 10.121), Truth-Upholding King (Varuna, RV 1.25), Heroic Warrior-King (Indra, RV 1.32, 2.12), Sage-Poet (Brahmanaspati, RV 2.23), Herdsman (Pusan, RV 6.58), Smith (Tvastar, 3.55.19), Hunter-Healer (Rudra, RV 2.33, 7.46), Ally (Mitra, RV 3.59), Food-Sharing Companion (Aryaman, RV 2.1.4), Fortune (Bhaga, RV 7.41), Apportionment (Amsa, RV 2.1.4), Impeller (Savitar, RV 6.71), Bestower of Wide Dwelling-Space through His Triple Stride (Visnu, RV 1.154), Ancestor (Vivasvan, 10.14), or Guardian of the Dead (Yama, 10.14). In his role as the mediator between darkness and light, misfortune and fortune, he appears as the twin Asvins (RV 1.112).

The Gods govern through ordinances that are true, established, and unbreakable (RV 1.90.1-2, 5.51.1-2, 3.56.1). They take the form of Fire, their mouth, in order to receive offerings (RV 2.1), and the form of the Sun, their eye, in order to establish order and animate both moving and unmoving beings with life (RV 1.115.1). The blowing Wind is the breath of the Gods (RV 10.168.4). The Gods stir up the Thunderstorm (RV 10.98.8), accompanied by the Maruts, the troop of air-currents (RV 1.38), and they bestow rain, the powerful seed of the Gods, which generates offspring among plants, animals, and human beings (RV 7.102.2). Heaven and Earth are measured out and upheld by them (1.159.4, 2.27.8). They command mortals to be truthful (RV 7.60.5) and hospitable (RV 10.117). Those devoted to the Gods rejoice forever in the highest realm (RV 1.154.5). Madhu/Soma represents this eternal delight, which the Gods themselves enjoy and also grant to the devotee (RV 9.106.7-8, RV 9.113.6-11).