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'@@ -1,4 1,3 @@ -{{Short description|Vedic deity identified with Brahma}}{{Hinduism}} - {{Short description|Vedic deity identified with Brahma}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}} {{distinguish|Pashupati}} @@ -6,7 5,7 @@ [[File:Prajapati.JPG|thumb|[[Brahma]] as Prajapati with the same iconographical features of Brahma, a statue from [[Tamil Nadu]]]] [[File:Daksha Prajapati Temple, Banapur , Odisha - 8.jpg|thumb|A Statue of Brahma as Prajapati at Daksha Prajapati Temple, Banapura, Odisha]] -'''Prajapati''' ({{langx|sa|प्रजापति|lit=God of creation}}, {{IAST3|Prajāpati}}) is a [[Vedas|Vedic]] deity of [[Hinduism]] and he is a form of [[Brahma]], the creator god.<ref name="Dalal2010p311"/><ref name="Williams2008p234"/><ref name="Lochtefeld2002p518">{{cite book|author=James G. Lochtefeld|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z|url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch |url-access=registration|year=2002|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-8239-3180-4|pages=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch/page/518 518]–519}}</ref> '''Prajapati''' ({{lang-sa|प्रजापति|lit=God of creation}}, {{IAST3|Prajāpati}}) is a [[Vedas|Vedic]] deity of [[Hinduism]] and he is a form of [[Brahma]], the creator god.<ref name="Dalal2010p311"/><ref name="Williams2008p234"/><ref name="Lochtefeld2002p518">{{cite book|author=James G. Lochtefeld|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z|url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch |url-access=registration|year=2002|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-8239-3180-4|pages=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch/page/518 518]–519}}</ref> -Prajapati is a form of the creator-god Brahma, but the name is also the name of many different gods, in many Hindu scriptures, ranging from the creator god Brahma to being the same as one of the following deities: [[Vishvakarma]], [[Agni]], [[Indra]], [[Daksha]], and many others,<ref name="Dalal2010p311" /> because of the diverse [[Hindu cosmology]].<ref name="Williams2008p234" /> In classical and medieval era literature, Prajapati is the metaphysical concept called [[Brahman]] as Prajapati-Brahman, and Brahman is the primordial matter that made Prajapati.<ref>{{cite book|author=Sukumari Bhattacharji|title=The Indian Theogony |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lDc9AAAAIAAJ |year=2007|publisher=Cambridge University Press|pages=322–323, 337, 338, 341–342}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/prajapati | title=Prajapati, Prajāpati, Prajāpatī, Praja-pati: 30 definitions | date=28 September 2010 }}</ref> Prajapati is a form of the creator-god Brahma, but the name is also the name of many different gods, in many [[Hindu scriptures]], ranging from the creator god Brahma to being same as one of the following deities: [[Vishvakarma]], [[Agni]], [[Indra]], [[Daksha]], and many others,<ref name="Dalal2010p311" /> because of the diverse [[Hindu cosmology]].<ref name="Williams2008p234" /> In classical and medieval era literature, Prajapati is the metaphysical concept called [[Brahman]] as Prajapati-Brahman, and Brahman is the primordial matter that made Prajapati.<ref>{{cite book|author=Sukumari Bhattacharji|title=The Indian Theogony |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lDc9AAAAIAAJ |year=2007|publisher=Cambridge University Press|pages=322–323, 337, 338, 341–342}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/prajapati | title=Prajapati, Prajāpati, Prajāpatī, Praja-pati: 30 definitions | date=28 September 2010 }}</ref> ==Etymology== @@ -18,10 17,10 @@ ===Similar Deities === -A similarity between Prajapati (and related figures in [[Hindu mythology]]) and [[Phanes]], also named as Protogonus ({{langx|grc|Πρωτογόνος}}, literally "first-born") of the [[Classical mythology|Greco-Roman mythology]] has been proposed:<ref>Martin West, ''Early Greek Philosophy and the Orient''. Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1971: 28-34</ref><ref name=alsobrook20>Kate Alsobrook (2008), "The Beginning of Time: Vedic and Orphic Theogonies and Poetics". M.A. Thesis, Reviewers: James Sickinger, Kathleen Erndl, John Marincola and Svetla Slaveva-Griffin, Florida State University, pages 20, 1-5, 24-25, 40-44</ref> A similarity between Prajapati (and related figures in [[Hindu mythology]]) and [[Phanes]], also named as Protogonus ({{lang-grc|Πρωτογόνος}}, literally "first-born") of the [[Classical mythology|Greco-Roman mythology]] has been proposed:<ref>Martin West, ''Early Greek Philosophy and the Orient''. Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1971: 28-34</ref><ref name=alsobrook20>Kate Alsobrook (2008), "The Beginning of Time: Vedic and Orphic Theogonies and Poetics". M.A. Thesis, Reviewers: James Sickinger, Kathleen Erndl, John Marincola and Svetla Slaveva-Griffin, Florida State University, pages 20, 1-5, 24-25, 40-44</ref> {{Quote|Phanes is the [[Greco-Roman mythology|Classical mythology]] equivalent of the Hindu god Brahma's Prajapati form in several ways: he is the first god born from a cosmic egg, he is the creator of the universe, and in the figure of [[Phanes]]— worshippers participate in his birth, death, rebirth, redeath. |Kate Alsobrook|''The Beginning of Time: Hindu Greco-Roman Theogonies and Poetics''<ref name=alsobrook20/>}} -According to Robert Graves, the name of /PRA-JĀ[N]-pati/ ('progeny-potentate') is etymologically equivalent to that of the oracular god Phanes at [[Colophon (city)|Colophon]] (according to Macrobius<ref>Robert Graves : ''The Greek Myths''. 1955. vol. 1, p. 31, sec. 2.2</ref>), namely /prōtogonos/.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-08-12 |title=Protogonos Greek First Born From Prajapati Hinduism |url=https://ramanisblog.in/2020/08/12/protogonos-greek-first-born-from-prajapati-hinduism/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Ramanisblog |language=en}}</ref> The cosmic egg concept linked to Prajapati and Phanes is common in many parts of the world, states David Leeming, which appears in later Greco-Roman worship in Greece and Rome.<ref>{{cite book|author=David Adams Leeming|title=Creation Myths of the World: An Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9I62BcuPxfYC |year=2010|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-59884-174-9|pages=313–314}}</ref> According to Robert Graves, the name of /PRA-JĀ[N]-pati/ ('progeny-potentate') is etymologically equivalent to that of the oracular god Phanes at [[Colophon (city)|Colophon]] (according to Macrobius<ref>Robert Graves : ''The Greek Myths''. 1955. vol. 1, p. 31, sec. 2.2</ref>), namely /prōtogonos/.{{Citation needed|date=July 2017}} The cosmic egg concept linked to Prajapati and Phanes is common in many parts of the world, states David Leeming, which appears in later Greco-Roman worship in Greece and Rome.<ref>{{cite book|author=David Adams Leeming|title=Creation Myths of the World: An Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9I62BcuPxfYC |year=2010|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-59884-174-9|pages=313–314}}</ref> ==Texts== @@ -29,11 28,11 @@ ===Vedas=== -His role varies within the Vedic texts such as being one who created heaven and earth, all of waters and beings, the creator of the universe, the creator of gods and goddesses, the creator of [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]] and [[Devi|devis]] and ''[[asura]]s and [[Asura|asuris]] and'' the cosmic egg and the [[Purusha]].<ref name="Williams2008p234"/><ref name="JonesRyan2006p332">{{cite book|author1=Constance Jones|author2=James D. Ryan|title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC |year=2006|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5|page=332}}</ref> His role peaked in the [[Brahmana|Brahmanas]] layer of [[Vedas|Vedic]] texts, then declined to name a group of creators in the creation process.<ref name="Williams2008p234"/> In some Brahmana texts, his role is paired since he co-creates with the powers of the creator goddess [[Vāc|Vac]].<ref name="Kinsley1988p12">{{cite book|author=David Kinsley|title=Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition|url=https://archive.org/details/hindugoddessesvi0000kins|url-access=registration|year=1988|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-90883-3|pages=[https://archive.org/details/hindugoddessesvi0000kins/page/12 12]–13}}</ref> His role varies within the Vedic texts such as being one who created heaven and earth, all of waters and beings, the creator of the universe, the creator of gods and goddesses, the creator of [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]] and [[Devi|devis]] and ''[[asura]]s and [[Asura|asuris]] and'' the cosmic egg and the [[Purusha]].<ref name="Williams2008p234"/><ref name="JonesRyan2006p332">{{cite book|author1=Constance Jones|author2=James D. Ryan|title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC |year=2006|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5|page=332}}</ref> His role peaked in the [[Brahmana|Brahmanas]] layer of [[Vedas|Vedic]] texts, then declined to name a group of creators in the creation process.<ref name="Williams2008p234"/> In some Brahmana texts, his role is glorious since he co-creates with the powers of the creator goddess [[Vāc|Vac]].<ref name="Kinsley1988p12">{{cite book|author=David Kinsley|title=Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition|url=https://archive.org/details/hindugoddessesvi0000kins|url-access=registration|year=1988|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-90883-3|pages=[https://archive.org/details/hindugoddessesvi0000kins/page/12 12]–13}}</ref> -In the ''[[Rigveda]]'', Prajapati appears as a name for [[Savitr]], [[Chandra]], [[Agni]] and [[Indra]], who are all praised as equal, same and gods of creatures.<ref name= Bhattacharji322>{{cite book|author=Sukumari Bhattacharji |year= 2007 |title=The Indian Theogony |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=lDc9AAAAIAAJ |publisher = Cambridge University Press|pages= 322–323}}</ref> Elsewhere, in hymn 10.121 of the ''Rigveda'', is described ''[[Hiranyagarbha]]'' (golden embryo) that was born from the waters containing everything, which produced Prajapati. It then created ''manas'' (mind), ''kama'' (desire), ''tapas'' (heat) and Prajapati created the universe. And this Prajapati is a creator god who created the universe, one of many [[Hindu cosmology]] theories, and there is no supreme god or supreme goddess in the ''[[Rigveda]]''.<ref>{{cite book|author=Gavin D. Flood|title=An Introduction to Hinduism |url= https://archive.org/details/introductiontohi0000floo |url-access=registration|year=1996 |publisher= Cambridge University Press|isbn= 978-0-521-43878-0|pages= [https://archive.org/details/introductiontohi0000floo/page/45 45]–46}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Henry White Wallis|title=The Cosmology of the Ṛigveda: An Essay|url= https://archive.org/details/cosmologyigveda00wallgoog|year= 1887|publisher= Williams and Norgate|pages=[https://archive.org/details/cosmologyigveda00wallgoog/page/n67 61]–73, 117}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Laurie L. Patton|title=Bringing the Gods to Mind: Mantra and Ritual in Early Indian Sacrifice|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gSZmbbsg9bEC |year=2005|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-93088-9|pages=113, 216}}</ref> One of the striking features about the Hindu Prajapati myths, states Jan Gonda, is the idea that the work of creation is a gradual process, completed in stages of trial and improvement.<ref>{{cite book|author=Jan Gonda|title=Prajāpatiʼs rise to higher rank |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=2OIUAAAAIAAJ |year= 1986|publisher= BRILL Academic |isbn=90-04-07734-0|pages=20–21}}</ref> In the ''[[Rigveda]]'', Prajapati appears as a name for [[Savitr]], [[Chandra]], [[Agni]] and [[Indra]], who are all praised as equal, same and gods of creatures.<ref name= Bhattacharji322>{{cite book|author=Sukumari Bhattacharji |year= 2007 |title=The Indian Theogony |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=lDc9AAAAIAAJ |publisher = Cambridge University Press|pages= 322–323}}</ref> Elsewhere, in hymn 10.121 of the ''Rigveda'', is described ''[[Hiranyagarbha]]'' (golden embryo) that was born from the waters containing everything, which produced Prajapati. It then created ''manas'' (mind), ''kama'' (desire) and ''tapas'' (heat) and Prajapati created the universe. And this Prajapati is a creator god who created the universe, one of many [[Hindu cosmology]] theories, and there is no supreme deity in the ''[[Rigveda]]''.<ref>{{cite book|author=Gavin D. Flood|title=An Introduction to Hinduism |url= https://archive.org/details/introductiontohi0000floo |url-access=registration|year=1996 |publisher= Cambridge University Press|isbn= 978-0-521-43878-0|pages= [https://archive.org/details/introductiontohi0000floo/page/45 45]–46}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Henry White Wallis|title=The Cosmology of the Ṛigveda: An Essay|url= https://archive.org/details/cosmologyigveda00wallgoog|year= 1887|publisher= Williams and Norgate|pages=[https://archive.org/details/cosmologyigveda00wallgoog/page/n67 61]–73, 117}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Laurie L. Patton|title=Bringing the Gods to Mind: Mantra and Ritual in Early Indian Sacrifice|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gSZmbbsg9bEC |year=2005|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-93088-9|pages=113, 216}}</ref> One of the striking features about the Hindu Prajapati myths, states Jan Gonda, is the idea that work of creation is a gradual process, completed in stages of trial and improvement.<ref>{{cite book|author=Jan Gonda|title=Prajāpatiʼs rise to higher rank |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=2OIUAAAAIAAJ |year= 1986|publisher= BRILL Academic |isbn=90-04-07734-0|pages=20–21}}</ref> -In the ''[[Shatapatha Brahmana]]'', embedded inside the ''[[Yajurveda]]'', Prajapati was self-created from Brahman (Ultimate Reality) and Prajapati co-creates the world with Vac.<ref name="WilkeMoebus2011p414">{{cite book|author1=Annette Wilke|author2=Oliver Moebus|title=Sound and Communication: An Aesthetic Cultural History of Sanskrit Hinduism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9wmYz_OtZ_gC |year=2011|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|isbn=978-3-11-024003-0|pages=414–416}}</ref> It also includes the "golden cosmic egg" mythology, wherein Prajapati is stated to be born from a golden egg in primeval sea after the egg was incubated for a year. His sounds became the sky, the earth and the seasons. When he inhaled, he created the devas and devis, and light. When he exhaled, he created the asuras and asuris, and darkness. Then, together with the Vac, he and she created all beings and universe.<ref name="Leeming2010p144">{{cite book|author=David Adams Leeming|title=Creation Myths of the World: An Encyclopedia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9I62BcuPxfYC |year=2010|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-59884-174-9|pages=144–146}}</ref> In Chapter 10 of the ''Shatapatha Brahmana'', as well as chapter 13 of ''Pancavimsa Brahmana'', is presented another myth where in Prajapati is a creator god, becomes creating with Vac, the creator goddess, all living creatures generated, then ''Mrtyu'' seizes these beings within his and her womb, but because these beings are created by Prajapati and Vac, they desire to live like him and her and Prajapati and Vac kill Mrtyu and creates the universe with releasing all living creatures in his and her womb.<ref>{{cite book|author=Jan Gonda|title=Prajāpatiʼs rise to higher rank |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=2OIUAAAAIAAJ |year= 1986|publisher= BRILL Academic |isbn=90-04-07734-0|pages=5, 14–16}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Sukumari Bhattacharji |year= 2007 |title=The Indian Theogony |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=lDc9AAAAIAAJ |publisher = Cambridge University Press|pages= 324–325}}</ref> In the ''[[Shatapatha Brahmana]]'', embedded inside the ''[[Yajurveda]]'', Prajapati emanated from Purusha (cosmic spirit) and Prajapati co-creates the world with Vac.<ref name="WilkeMoebus2011p414">{{cite book|author1=Annette Wilke|author2=Oliver Moebus|title=Sound and Communication: An Aesthetic Cultural History of Sanskrit Hinduism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9wmYz_OtZ_gC |year=2011|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|isbn=978-3-11-024003-0|pages=414–416}}</ref> It also includes the "golden cosmic egg" mythology, wherein Prajapati is stated to be born from a golden egg in primeval sea after the egg was incubated for a year. His sounds became the sky, the earth and the seasons. When he inhaled, he created the devas and devis, and light. When he exhaled, he created the asuras and asuris, and darkness. Then, together with the Vac, he and she created all beings and universe.<ref name="Leeming2010p144">{{cite book|author=David Adams Leeming|title=Creation Myths of the World: An Encyclopedia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9I62BcuPxfYC |year=2010|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-59884-174-9|pages=144–146}}</ref> In Chapter 10 of the ''Shatapatha Brahmana'', as well as chapter 13 of ''Pancavimsa Brahmana'', is presented another myth where in Prajapati is a creator god, becomes creating with Vac, the creator goddess, all living creatures generated, then ''Mrtyu'' seizes these beings within his and her womb, but because these beings are created by Prajapati and Vac, they desire to live like him and her and Prajapati and Vac kill Mrtyu and creates the universe with releasing all living creatures in his and her womb.<ref>{{cite book|author=Jan Gonda|title=Prajāpatiʼs rise to higher rank |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=2OIUAAAAIAAJ |year= 1986|publisher= BRILL Academic |isbn=90-04-07734-0|pages=5, 14–16}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Sukumari Bhattacharji |year= 2007 |title=The Indian Theogony |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=lDc9AAAAIAAJ |publisher = Cambridge University Press|pages= 324–325}}</ref> -The ''[[Aitareya Brahmana]]'' tells a different myth, wherein Prajapati, having created the gods and goddesses, turns into a stag and approaches his daughter with Vac, [[Ushas]] who was in the form of a doe, to produce other animals. The gods and goddesses are horrified by this incest, and joined forces and created the angry destructive [[Rudra]] to kill Prajapati for doing incest with Ushas and before Prajapati mates with Ushas, Rudra drives Prajapati away. Then Rudra kills Prajapati and Ushas runs away and Prajapati is ressurected.<ref name="Leeming2010p144"/> The ''[[Sankhyayana Brahmana]]'' tells another myth, wherein Prajapati created [[Agni]], [[Surya]], [[Chandra]], [[Vayu]], [[Ushas]] and all deities. Agni, Surya, Chandra, Vayu, Ushas and all deities released their energies and created the universe.<ref name="Leeming2010p144"/> The ''Aitareya Brahmana'' tells a different myth, wherein Prajapati, having created the gods and goddesses, turns into a stag and approaches his daughter with Vac, [[Ushas]] who was in the form of a doe, to produce other animals. The gods and goddesses are horrified by this incest, and joined forces and created the angry destructive [[Rudra]] to kill Prajapati for doing incest with Ushas and before Prajapati mates with Ushas, Rudra drives Prajapati away. Then Rudra kills Prajapati and Ushas runs away and Prajapati is ressurected.<ref name="Leeming2010p144"/> The ''Kausitaki Brahmana'' tells another myth, wherein Prajapati created [[Agni]], [[Surya]], [[Chandra]], [[Vayu]], [[Ushas]] and all deities. Agni, Surya, Chandra, Vayu, Ushas and all deities released their energies and created the universe.<ref name="Leeming2010p144"/> In section 2.266 of [[Samaveda|Jaiminiya Brahmana]], Prajapati is presented as a spiritual teacher. His student [[Varuna]] lives with him for 100 years, studying the art and duties of being the "father-like king of gods and goddesses" and is a king of the gods and goddesses.<ref>{{cite book|author=Jan Gonda|title=Prajāpatiʼs rise to higher rank |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=2OIUAAAAIAAJ |year= 1986|publisher= BRILL Academic |isbn=90-04-07734-0|pages=17–18}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Sukumari Bhattacharji |year= 2007 |title=The Indian Theogony |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=lDc9AAAAIAAJ |publisher = Cambridge University Press|pages= 326–327}}</ref> @@ -52,5 51,5 @@ he obtains all the worlds, and all his desires are fulfilled, so said Prajapati. -|[[Chandogya Upanishad]] 8.7.1|Translator: [[Patrick Olivelle]]<ref name=olivelle279>{{cite book|title=The Early Upanishads: Annotated Text and Translation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Lsp18ZvstrcC|year=1998|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-535242-9|pages=279–281}}</ref>}}In Chandogya Upanishad 1.2.1, Prajapati appears as the creator of all devas and devis and asuras and asuris: "The gods and goddesses and the demons and demonesses are both children of Prajapati, yet they fought among themselves." ({{langx|sa|देवासुरा ह वै यत्र संयेतिरे उभये प्राजापत्यास्तद्ध|translit=devāsurā ha vai yatra saṃyetire ubhaye prājāpatyāstaddha}}).<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2019-01-04 |title=Chandogya Upanishad, Verse 1.2.1 (English and Sanskrit) |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/chandogya-upanishad-english/d/doc238721.html |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> |[[Chandogya Upanishad]] 8.7.1|Translator: [[Patrick Olivelle]]<ref name=olivelle279>{{cite book|title=The Early Upanishads: Annotated Text and Translation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Lsp18ZvstrcC|year=1998|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-535242-9|pages=279–281}}</ref>}}In Chandogya Upanishad 1.2.1, Prajapati appears as the creator of all devas and devis and asuras and asuris: "The gods and goddesses and the demons and demonesses are both children of Prajapati, yet they fought among themselves." ({{lang-sa|देवासुरा ह वै यत्र संयेतिरे उभये प्राजापत्यास्तद्ध|translit=devāsurā ha vai yatra saṃyetire ubhaye prājāpatyāstaddha}}).<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2019-01-04 |title=Chandogya Upanishad, Verse 1.2.1 (English and Sanskrit) |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/chandogya-upanishad-english/d/doc238721.html |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> ===Post-Vedic texts=== @@ -61,11 60,11 @@ The [[Kalpa (Vedanga)|Grhyasutras]] include Prajapati as among the deities invoked during wedding ceremonies and prayed to for blessings of prosperous progeny, and harmony between husband and wife.<ref>[[Jan Gonda]] (1982), [https://www.jstor.org/stable/1062566 The Popular Prajāpati] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215195110/https://www.jstor.org/stable/1062566 |date=15 February 2020 }}, History of Religions, Vol. 22, No. 2 (Nov., 1982), University of Chicago Press, pp. 131-132</ref> -Prajapati is the God of Universe, Fire, Sun, Creation, etc. He is also identified with various mythical progenitors, especially ([[Manusmriti]] 1.34) the ten gods of created beings which are first created by [[Brahma]]: [[Marichi]], [[Atri]], [[Angiras]], [[Pulastya]], [[Pulaha]], [[Kratu]], [[Vasishtha]], [[Daksha]], [[Bhrigu]], [[Narada]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Hindu Mythology|last=Wilkins|first=W.J.|page=369|publisher=D.K. Printworld (P) Limited|location=New Delhi|isbn=81-246-0234-4|year=2003}}</ref> Prajapati is the God of Universe, Fire, the Sun, the Creator God, etc. He is also identified with various mythical progenitors, especially (Manusmriti 1.34) the ten gords of created beings are first created by [[Brahma]]: [[Marichi]], [[Atri]], [[Angiras]], [[Pulastya]], [[Pulaha]], [[Kratu]], [[Vasishtha]], [[Daksha]], [[Bhrigu]] and [[Narada]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Hindu Mythology|last=Wilkins|first=W.J.|page=369|publisher=D.K. Printworld (P) Limited|location=New Delhi|isbn=81-246-0234-4|year=2003}}</ref> In the [[Puranas]], there are groups of Prajapatis called ''Prajapatayah'' who were [[rishi]]s (sages) from whom all of the world is created, followed by a Prajapatis list that widely varies in number and name between different texts.<ref name="Dalal2010p311">{{cite book|author=Roshen Dalal|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC |year=2010 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0-14-341421-6|page=311}}</ref><ref name="Williams2008p234">{{cite book|author=George M. Williams|title=Handbook of Hindu Mythology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N7LOZfwCDpEC&dq=prajapati williams pandas&pg=PA234 |year=2008|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-533261-2|pages=234–235 }}</ref> According to George Williams, the inconsistent, varying and evolving Prajapati concept in Hindu mythology reflects the diverse [[Hindu cosmology]].<ref name="Williams2008p234"/> -The ''Mahabharata'' and the genre of Puranas call various gods and sages as Prajapati. Some illustrations, states Roshen Dalal, include [[Agni]], [[Bharata (sage)|Bharata]], Shashabindu, [[Shukra]], Havirdhaman, [[Indra]], [[Kapila]], Kshupa, [[Prithu]], [[Chandra]], Svishtakrita, [[Tvashtr|Tvashtra]], [[Vishvakarma]], Virana.<ref name="Dalal2010p311"/> The ''Mahabharata'' and the genre of Puranas call various gods and sages as Prajapati. Some illustrations, states Roshen Dalal, include [[Agni]], [[Bharata (sage)|Bharata]], Shashabindu, [[Shukra]], Havirdhaman, [[Indra]], [[Kapila]], Kshupa, [[Prithu]], [[Chandra]], Svishtakrita, [[Tvashtr|Tvashtra]], [[Vishvakarma]] and Virana.<ref name="Dalal2010p311"/> -In the medieval era texts of Hinduism, Prajapatis refers to legendary agents of creation, gods and sages who are working in creation, who appear in every cycle of creation-maintenance-destruction. Their numbers vary between seven, ten, sixteen or twenty-one at times.<ref name="Dalal2010p311"/> In the medieval era texts of Hinduism, Prajapati refers to legendary agents of creation, working as gods or sages, who appear in every cycle of creation-maintenance-destruction. Their numbers vary between seven, ten, sixteen or twenty-one at times.<ref name="Dalal2010p311"/> ===A list of twenty one includes found in the Mahabharata includes === @@ -90,6 89,5 @@ # [[Kardama]] # Krodha -# Vikrita -# [[Brahma]].<ref name="Dalal2010p311"/><ref name="Williams2008p234"/> # Vikrita.<ref name="Dalal2010p311"/><ref name="Williams2008p234"/> ===A list of sixteen found in the Ramayana includes === @@ -112,5 110,5 @@ # [[Surya]].<ref name="Dalal2010p311"/> -===A list of ten in the Hindu scriptures includes=== ===A list of ten in Hindu scriptures includes=== # [[Marichi]] @@ -124,26 122,17 @@ # [[Bhrigu]] # [[Narada]].<ref name=" Dalal2010p311"/> -===A list of seven in the Hindu Puranas includes=== - -# [[Marichi]] -# [[Angiras]] -# [[Atri]] -# [[Pulastya]] -# [[Pulaha]] -# [[Kratu]] -# [[Vasishtha]].<ref name=" Dalal2010p311"/> -Their creative role varies. [[Pulaha]], for example, is the son of [[Brahma]] and [[Saraswati|Sarasvati]] and he is a great rishi. As one of the Prajapatis, he creates animals and plants.<ref>{{cite book|author=Roshen Dalal|title= Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC |year=2010 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0-14-341421-6|page=316}}</ref> Their creative role varies. [[Pulaha]], for example, is the son of [[Brahma]] and [[Saraswati|Sarasvati]] is a great rishi. As one of the Prajapatis, he creates animals and plants.<ref>{{cite book|author=Roshen Dalal|title= Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC |year=2010 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0-14-341421-6|page=316}}</ref> ==Balinese Hinduism== -Hindu temples in [[Bali]], [[Indonesia]] that are dedicated to Brahma as Prajapati are called as ''Pura Prajapati'', also called as ''Pura Mrajapati'', are common. They are mostly associated with funeral rituals and the [[Ngaben]] (cremation) ceremony for the dead where Brahma as Prajapati is invoked to preside over the funeral ceremonies happening there.<ref>{{cite book|author=David J. Stuart-Fox|title=Pura Besakih: Temple, Religion and Society in Bali|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vbxwAAAAMAAJ|year=2002|publisher=KITLV|isbn=978-90-6718-146-4|pages=92–94, 207–209}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Between Harmony and Discrimination: Negotiating Religious Identities within Majority-Minority Relationships in Bali and Lombok|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sma7AwAAQBAJ |year=2014|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-27149-4|pages=264–266}}</ref> Hindu temples in Bali Indonesia called ''Pura Prajapati'', also called ''Pura Mrajapati'', are common. They are most associated with funeral rituals and the [[Ngaben]] (cremation) ceremony for the dead.<ref>{{cite book|author=David J. Stuart-Fox|title=Pura Besakih: Temple, Religion and Society in Bali|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vbxwAAAAMAAJ|year=2002|publisher=KITLV|isbn=978-90-6718-146-4|pages=92–94, 207–209}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Between Harmony and Discrimination: Negotiating Religious Identities within Majority-Minority Relationships in Bali and Lombok|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sma7AwAAQBAJ |year=2014|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-27149-4|pages=264–266}}</ref> ==See also== -*[[Nasadiya Sukta]] -*[[Hiranyagarbha]] -*[[God in Hinduism]] *[[Nasadiya sukta]] *[[Hiranyagarbha sukta]] *[[Hinduism and monotheism]] *[[List of Hindu deities]] *[[Creation myth]] -*[[Saptarshi]] *[[Saptarishi]] ==References== '