Devi in the Vedas: The Supreme Being of Omnipresence and All-Pervading Energy

The Vedas, the oldest and most sacred texts in Hinduism, contain numerous mentions of Devi, the Supreme Being also known as Adi Parashakti. These sacred texts describe Devi as the original source of all existence, permeating every aspect of the universe and beyond. Let's explore these mentions and understand the profound significance of Devi in the Vedas.

Devi as the Supreme Being

According to the Rig Veda, Devi is not merely mentioned, but she is the Supreme Being herself:

'She permeates all: from her the clouds shed abundant rain and thence the people of the four quarters live; from her the moisture spreads to the grain and the universe exists.' (Rig Veda: Mandala 1: Hymn 164: Verse 42)

In the Rig Veda, it is explicitly stated that Devi is the origin of all:

'Indran i Ishana Dev? adi parashakti samhituk hai': Devi is the Supreme Being which is the origin of all.

Devi in the Yajur Veda

Devī is described as the sovereign of all beings, embodying abundance and nourishment:

'Her who has fragrance as her doorway who is invincible ever full of nourishment and is the embodiment of abundance—the sovereign of all beings, I invoke that Goddess Sri here.' (Yajur Veda: Taittiriya Aranyaka: 10.1.10)

Furthermore, Devī is portrayed as a widely pervading immortal divine entity:

'The immortal divine one widely pervading extends both below and above. She the divine drives away darkness with her radiance.' (Rig Veda: Mandala 10: Hymn 127: Verse 2)

Devi and Creation

Devi is also celebrated as the creator and sustainer of the universe:

'Aditi is the heaven, Aditi is the midspace, Aditi is the mother the father and the son. Aditi is all the gods, Aditi is the five classes of people, Aditi is what is born and what is to be born.' (Rig Veda: Mandala 1: Hymn 81: Verse 10)

In another verse, Devī is described as encompassing all aspects of reality:

'She is all the Vedas, all the gods, all the worlds, all renown, all virtue, all ground, effect and cause, the great beauty of the Lord of gods. She has a form which is different and yet the same. She is the essence of the intelligent and the inert. She is all from Brahma to stocks and stones. She is embodied owing to distinctions of attributes and activities. She assumes the forms of gods, sages, men and Gandharvas of demons, fiends, spirits, ghosts, goblins etc. and of the elements, sense-organs, mind and the vital breaths.' (Atharva Veda Sruti: Sita Upanishad: Verse 10)

In this verse, it is clear that Devī is the Omnipresent Supreme Being and the entirety of existence:

'Aditi is the heavens, Aditi is the earth, Aditi is the mother, the father, and the son. Aditi is all the gods, Aditi is the five human races. Aditi is the birth and the origin of all creation.'

Devi's Omnipresence and Attributes

The Atharva Veda emphasizes the omnipresence and all-encompassing nature of Devi:

Aditi, the great mother, the wife of righteousness, the partner of truth. We invoke Aditi the supreme power who pervades the earth and the sky. She is the goddess of the divine realm, bringing prosperity, protection, and wellness. We invoke Aditi, the goddess of supreme wisdom, and ask her to bless us with the best of all good things. May she provide us with protection, peace, and the fulfillment of our desires.' (Atharva Veda: 7.6.1–4)

Moreover, Devī is described as eternal and unchanging, granting blessings and auspiciousness:

Aditi is the heavens, Aditi is the earth, Aditi is the mother the father and the son. Aditi is all the gods Aditi is the five human races Aditi is the birth and the origin of all creation. We invoke Aditi, the great mother, the wife of righteousness, the partner of truth. She is omnipresent and unchanging, the one who grants auspiciousness and blessings.

Conclusion

Through these passages, it is evident that Devi, also known as Adi Parashakti, is not just mentioned in the Vedas but is the very essence of all existence. She is the source of all creation, the sustainer of the universe, and the provider of all blessings and protection. Her omnipresence is a testament to her all-encompassing nature, making her the supreme being in Hindu mythology.

The Vedas serve as a profound worship of Devi, celebrating her as the ultimate guide and sustainer of all life.