Parjana - The Rain God

Sunday, 10 July 2011

Parjana, The Rain God

Parjanya is the Hindu God who gives rainfall thereby leading to abundant food and other crops for people to consume. Parjanya dominates thunderstorms and monsoons. There are several hymns in the Rig Veda that celebrates the valour of Parjanya. Parjanya is recognized with Indra, the "Bull" of the Rig Veda. He is also related with Lord Varuna as a deity of clouds and as punishing sinners. In the Atharva Veda it is mentioned that prayers are dedicated to Parjanya, to invoke the blessings of rains. He is also responsible for vegetation and is also associated with cattle.

Parjanya was also one of the Sapta rishi in the fifth Manvantara. According to the Vishnu Purana he is one of the twelve Adityas - the guardian of the month of Kartik. He is also a Gandharva and a Rishi in the Harivamsa. In each month of the year, it is a different manifestation of Surya who shines. Similarly Parjanya shines in the month of Shravana and Parjanya has seventy two rays.

Parjanya is compared with the Lithuanian god Perkunas, the god of thunder. Parjanya is a god who controls over the lightning, the thunder, the rain, and the procreation of plants and living creatures. But it is by no means clear whether he is originally a god of the rain or a god of the thunder.

Parjanya is also symbolized as the brother of Aditi, and husband of Prithvi, the Earth. He is also described as the father of Soma, and the protector of the Soma plant.

Parjanya is also the name of a Lokapala, the regent of the north and king of clouds. Maruts that consists of several Gods is also associated with Parjanya. Thunderbolts created by Parjanya are powerful as they cause entire mountain ranges to disappear or appear immediately. He is also coined as `divine father`

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