Vayu

Vayu

वायु, vāyu

Vayu or Vau is God of Wind, space, source and lord of life force; protector (lokapala) of the northwestern part of the world; one of the five Mahabhutas, namely Air.

In yogic texts, often is a synonym for the word prana.

Other names for Vayu: Vata (वात, vāta — "air"), Pavana (पवन, pavana — "clean, purifying, scattering"), Marut (मरुत्, marut - "wind, breath").

The term "vayu" also denotes the vital winds in the human body, which control the pranic currents of energy. In total, 10 such vayu are distinguished, five of which are considered the most important:

The other five vayu include:

naga,
kurma,
krikara,
devadatta,
dhananjaya.

Iconography and reference in texts

In the Vedas, there are hymns of both Vayu and Prana.

Vayu is usually depicted with two or four arms. In them he usually holds: a scepter and a flag or a dood and a chakra. The other two hands are folded in abhaya-mudra and varada-mudra. Vayu is usually described as riding an antelope or in a horse-drawn chariot. According to Rig Veda, their number can reach 99, hundreds or even thousands. According to Sri Aurobindo (Sri Aurobindo, "The Mystery of Veda", Part II, p. 301), the increase in the number of horses symbolizes the disclosure of the vital force "with its perfection of being, power, bliss, knowledge" and all types of activity (both of physical and mental nature). Thanks to this, consciousness can go beyond limitations. The Rig Veda also mentions that Indra is the charioteer of Vayu, which symbolizes the process of controlling energy by a more sublime force, "for it is the illumination given by Indra that leads to the disclosure of the secret of bliss" (Sri Aurobindo, "The Secret of Veda", part II, p. 299).

As for the role of Vayu himself, the lord of life force, in rituals it is he who has the right to be the first to take a sip of soma, and it is thanks to this god that the results of the sacrifice are manifested.

Rig Veda, VIII, 48:

विहि होत्रा अवीता विपो न रायो अर्यः | वायवा चन्द्रेण रथेन याहि सुतस्य पीतये || १ || vihi hotrā avītā vipo na rāyo aryaḥ vāyavā candreṇa rathena yāhi sutasya pītaye

You manifest the energies of sacrifices that were not manifested, as if one who manifests bliss and performs labor; O Vayu, in the chariot of the good light, come to drink the nectar of Soma.

It becomes clear why it is believed that Yajurveda ("Veda of sacrificial formulas") originated precisely from Vayu.

In "Brahmanda-purana" it is Gorakshanath, who among the Naths personifies the control of feelings and prana, is called the patron of Vayu.

Vayu and Maruts

One of the names of Vayu, as mentioned above, is Marut. It indicates the connection of God with Maruts, the sparkling, furious and impetuous lords of storm and rain, the forces of the wind. Maruts obey both Vayu and Indra, they are their assistants. They combine in themselves the violent power of Vayu, the illumination and visionary ability of Agni, as well as the power of destruction of all obstacles (Agni in the aspect of Rudra). They are also those who can take any form. In a broad sense, Maruts personify the powers of thought; that which supports the movement of the consciousness striving towards the highest knowledge, towards expanding to infinity and attaining the Truth, the possessor of which is Indra.

Vayu and sons: Hanuman and Bhima

According to one of the versions, the god of the Wind and apsara Punjistala in the guise of the monkey Anjana were parents of Hanuman, also known as Maruti. According to another legend, Vayu became an intermediary who brought Ajana some of the prasad obtained as a result of a large sacrifice. Vedic Yajna was conducted by King Dasharatha for his wives to give birth to worthy sons.

As a result of the sacrifice, Prince Rama was born to the eldest of the queens (to the other two – Lakshmana and Shatrughna). And thanks to the fact that Anjana, who prayed for the son of Shiva, the god Vayu brought part of prasad, Hanuman was born to her. Since the son of the Wind played a large role in the birth of Maruti, he is considered his father.

In addition, Vayu is considered to be the father of Bhima, one of the five Pandava brothers, to whose deeds is dedicated famous Indian epic "Mahabharata".

Bhima's mother is Queen Kunti. Satisfied with her service, the sage Durvasa bestowed on her a mantra with which she could invoke any god to obtain offspring.

Both sons of the god Vayu – Hanuman and Bhima – possessed fearlessness and tremendous strength, while using their superpowers to perform actions corresponding to dharma.