Dawn - Ushas , the Vedic Goddess !

[Guest guest]

Thank you Srimaan Sunder-ji for posting the 'Prataha Kala Smarana'

stotra of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagvadapada .

 

There is something very beautiful about the word 'Dawn' also known

as 'Ushas' in the Sanskrit language .

 

It was from Sri Ananda-ji and our beloved member Ken Knight , the

great Rig Vedic Scholar , i learned how to trace the etymology of

words .

 

Here is what i unearthed about the word 'USHAS' from a web source .

 

" Of all the personifications of Hindoo mythology, by far the purest

and most touching and beautiful is Ushas, whose name is the same as

the Greek Eos -- or the Dawn. The name Ushas is derived from a

root 'us', to burn. She is also the same as the Sanscrit Ahoma, or

Dahana, and the Greek Athene, and Daphne. The language in which the

physical Ushas was spoken of was especially capable of easy

transformation into a purely spiritual meaning. The dawn-light is

beautiful to all men, barbarous or civilized; and it did not require

any great stretch of poetic fancy to represent Ushas as a young wife

awakening her children, and giving them new strength for the toils

of the new day. It happens that the word which, in Sanscrit, means "

to awake," also means "to know"; and thus, like the Greek Athene,

Ushas became a goddess of wisdom."

 

http://library.flawlesslogic.com/ved_rel.htm

 

In the Rig Veda , about 20 hymns are dedicated to the Vedic Goddess

Ushas - here is one of my favorites !

 

She hath shone brightly, like a youthful woman, stirring to

motion every living creature.

Agni hath come to feel on mortal's fuel. She hath made light

and chased away darkness.

Turned to this All, far-spreading, she hath risen and shone in

brightness with white robes about her

She hath beamed forth lovely with golden colours, Mother of

kine, Guide of the day she bringeth.

 

Bearing the Gods' own eye, auspicious Lady, leading her Cour-

ser white and fair to look on,

Distinguished by her beams Dawn shines apparent, comes forth

to all the world with wondrous treasure.

 

-- Rig-Veda, VII-LXXVII-1, 2,

 

(R.H. Griffith's translation )

 

to read more hymnS on the Goddess Dawn , pl go to

 

http://hinduwebsite.com/sacredscripts/hinduism/rigveda/usha_1.asp

 

Yes! Each day when we wake up at Dawn , we also wake up to a day

of 'wisdom and truth' - in fact , this is the best time

to 'meditate' also ..before the Sunrise ! . our minds are fresh

after a night's rest and it is at the time of dawm , our cosmic

energy is at its radiant best . Each day, Goddess Usha reminds us

that it is a new day and a new beginning in our spiritual journey -

She is the Goddess of light and wisdom and a perfect companion to

Lord Surya ! ( together they dispeL darkness or Avidya)!

 

MY FRIENDS ! the new year is approaching - Let us pray to the Vedic

Goddess Ushas to bring us Hope , Joy and Good Tidings !

 

Let there be Light !

 

Tamaso ma Jyothirgamaya !

 

Om Shanti! Shanti! Shantihi !