HV - Visvadeva - Rigveda

Vishvadeva, the All Pervading Deity

What Vaisvamitra says about Visvadeva raises interesting questions.

The all pervading deity exists (विश्वे देवासो, 1.003.8-9).[1]

What are his characteristics? He is not a woman, is virtuous (अस्रिध, 1.003.9),[2] is industrious (अप्तुरः) begetting knowledge (सुतमा)[3] and quickening union (तूर्णंयः)[4], causing as it were the sun to rise within our four walls (उस्रा इव स्वसराणि)[5] (1.003.8).  Visvadeva apparently also possess marvelous powers (माया) to end barrenness (एहिमायासो अद्रुहः),[6] for intellect (मेधं[7]) for emancipation on death (जुषन्त)[8] and union with Siva (वह्नयः)[9] (1.003.9). 

Is there an overlap of Visvadeva and Vishnu?

There seems to be some overlap of the notion of Vishvadeva and Vishnu.

First, Sage Dirghatama Auchitya addresses Vishnu as विश्वा or all pervading (1.154.2,4 and विश्वतः 1.164.36).

Second, Sage Brahaspatya in a sookta addressed to Indra-Vishnu says that the all pervading one commands knowledge (विश्वा हवा-ना, 6.69.4), while here Visvadeva is referred to as begetting knowledge (सुतमा).

Third, in a previous verse, sage Vaishvamitra remarked that meditation comes quickly to those who revere Hari (हरिवः, 1.003.6, op cit), while here Visvadeva quickens union (तूर्णयः).

Fourth, Lord Krishna says in Geeta that he is ever active (reference), while a characteristic of Visvadeva stated here is that he is industrious (अप्तुरः).

Finally, Vishnu sooktas are full of reference of appeals to Vishnu for emancipation, too numerous to mention here (see Hinduism in Rigveda), while Visvadeva here is said to have the ability to confer emancipation on death.

How to reach Visvadeva? The path to Visvadeva is through a Protector (ओमः). The listener is advised to cling on to him, for he will carry him to Visvadeva’s seat (ओमासश्चर्षणीध्रृतो विश्वे देवास आगत). [10] Apart from this, he is advised to donate a portion of his wealth, worship emancipation, and honour devotees (दाश्वांसो दाशुषः सुतम्)[11] (1.003.7).

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[1] All pervading (विश्व = विश्वे) deity is! (देव-आस्-ओ = देवासो)

[2] not a woman virtuous (अस्त्री-धः = अस्त्रिध)

[3] producing knowledge (सुत-मा)

[4] quickly union (तूर्ण-यः)

[5] Sun (उस्रः = उस्रा) as it were (इव) one’s own home boundary (स्वसर-आणि = सवसराणि)

[6] marvellous power bring to an end (एहि-माया-सो) without son (अ-द्रुहः)

[7] Intellect (मेधा = मेधं)

[8] to go emancipation death (जु-ष-अन्त)

[9] Siva union (वह्नि-यः = वह्नयः)

[10] Protector (ओमः) cling to (सश्च्) means of moving (अर्षणी) borne (धृत) (ओमः-सश्च्-अर्षणी-धृत = ओमासश्चर्षणीधृतो) omnipresent/all pervading (विश्वे) deity seat (देव-आस = देवास) arrival (आगत)

[11] donating portion (दाश्वस्-अंसः = दाश्वांसो) worshipping emancipation (दाशु-षः) worshipper honour (सुत्-अम्)