Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Was Indra categorised as Āditya?

 


Ādityas - sons of Aditi

Different types of categorisation of Adityas are available in Rig Veda. However, Indra was mentioned as Aditya, as far as I found, only once.

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a) 6 Ādityas

Rig Veda 2.27.1

इमा गिर आदित्येभ्यो घृतस्नूः सनाद्राजभ्यो जुह्वा जुहोमि शृणोतु मित्रो अर्यमा भगो नस्तुविजातो वरुणो दक्षो अंशः
imā gira ādityebhyo ghṛtasnūḥ sanād rājabhyo juhvā juhomi | śṛṇotu mitro aryamā bhago nas tuvijāto varuṇo dakṣo aṃśaḥ ||

English translation:

These ghee-backed songs I pour out to the Ādityas, kings from of old, with my tongue (as offering ladle). Let each one hear us: Mitra, Aryaman, and Bhaga, mighty-born Varuṇa, Dakṣa, and Aṃśa.

b) 7 Ādityas

Rig Veda 9.114.3

सप्त दिशो नानासूर्याः सप्त होतार ऋत्विजः देवा आदित्या ये सप्त तेभिः सोमाभि रक्ष इन्द्रायेन्दो परि स्रव
sapta diśo nānāsūryāḥ sapta hotāra ṛtvijaḥ | devā ādityā ye sapta tebhiḥ somābhi rakṣa na indrāyendo pari srava ||

English translation:

Seven are the quarters, each with its separate sun; seven are the Hotars sacrificing in due order. The Āditya gods, who are seven—with them, o Soma, protect us. – O drop, flow around for Indra.

c) 8 Ādityas

Rig Veda 10.72.8

अष्टौ पुत्रासो अदितेर्ये जातास्तन्वस्परि देवाँ उप प्रैत्सप्तभिः परा मार्ताण्डमास्यत्
aṣṭau putrāso aditer ye jātās tanvas pari | devām̐ upa prait saptabhiḥ parā mārtāṇḍam āsyat ||

English translation:

Eight are the sons of Aditi, which were born from her body. With seven she went forth to the gods. She cast away the one stemming from a dead egg.

d) Indra, the 4th Āditya

Rig Veda 8.52.7

कदा चन प्र युच्छस्युभे नि पासि जन्मनी तुरीयादित्य हवनं इन्द्रियमा तस्थावमृतं दिवि
kadā cana pra yucchasy ubhe ni pāsi janmanī | turīyāditya havanaṃ ta indriyam ā tasthāv amṛtaṃ divi ||

English translation:

Never do you stay away; you protect both breeds [=gods and men]. O fourth Āditya, the invocation destined for you, for Indra, has mounted to the immortal (world?) in heaven.