Vayu

Vayu (Sanskrit वायु, Vayu, " wind ", " air "), even Pavana (Sanskrit पवन " Purifying ") is the Vedic god of wind, the air and the breath of life (prana ) and its personification. In the Rigveda him only one anthem is entirely devoted, but it also appears in other hymns. He is associated with the thunderstorms, hurricanes and dusty storms, while the god Indra is brought bring rain storms in conjunction with a breeze or fertility. A rivalry with Indra is also found in the Vedas. With this and Agni he is a Vedic gods triad.

Mythology

Vayu represents the breath of Varuna, and is also referred to by the attribute of the " thousand-eyed ." Other attributes are his frantic speed equal to the thought and its beauty. He has a brilliant car, drawn by two, nine, ten, a hundred or even a thousand red horses, depending on whether he comes as wind, as a storm or even cyclone. Vayu is considered son of Tvashtri. Together with Mitra and Varuna Vayu may also appear as a wrathful deity. It also applies as a doctor and a wonderful healer. He is called to protect and gives fame and fortune, he also provides junior and destroy enemies. Sometimes he is sometimes referred to as the top Gandharvasund as the father of Maruts. He is married to the goddess Vayavi.

In Hindu myth Vayu is instigated by the Maharishi Narada to overthrow the summit of Meru. This is prevented by Garuda, spreading its wings over the mountain. Vayu tried for a year to destroy the mountain and has only just success, as Garuda is absent at the end of the year. The peak then falls into the sea and is there now as the island of Sri Lanka.

Iconography

The mount of Vayu is an antelope ( Vayu Vahana ) and in his hands he holds flag, often bow and arrow, thunderbolt, wheel and rod. Its body color is white, and his clothing is colorful.

Vayu today

In later Hinduism Vayu is no longer considered benign, but as destructive, unbalanced, unpredictable, destructive God who has his feelings not under control and is full of desires. He roams heaven and earth and ruled the northwestern quarter of the world ( Lokapala ). Vayu is considered self-indulgent and that's why he has all illegitimate offspring. As a son of Vayu applies, for example, and the monkey god Hanuman, who receives the ability to fly by Vayu, and Bhima, the strongest of the Pandava, the hero of the Mahabharata.

In some Indian sects is Vayu 'holder of fragrances ' and is known as a protector and servant of the pair Vishnu and Lakshmi. Vayu is also responsible for the maintenance of Vishnu's lotus that grows in his navel and from the god Brahma is born.