The Mysterious Forest Goddes of Rig Veda - Aranyani Suktam
Image: A Vana devi located in a Maḍura Vīra temple in Shah Alam, Malaysia
In the Ṛg Veda, we have a portion which reveals a mysterious deity of the forest region ( Āraṇyānī). This portion is found as the 10th Maṇḍala as the 146th Sūkta. It is colloquially called Āraṇyānī Sūktam (Āraṇya: forest).
Introduction to Vedas
The entire Universe is reverberating. When there is reverberation, there is sound. In other words, the entire cosmos is simply a manifestation of sound energy. The ancient Vedic sages through penance were able to download cosmic data directly. They received cosmic truths in the form of sounds which they heard and envisioned. These truths were recited as received, and passed on generations after generations.
Various truths downloaded by various Ṛṣi-s gave rise to the ocean of Veda-s. Veda Vyāsa later compiled these Veda-s and classified them. This is how the 4 Veda-s came to existence. Each of these Veda-s had many branches. Each branch had 4 components:
Saṃhitā
Brāhmaṇa
Āraṇyaka
Upaniṣad
What we refer to as Āraṇyānī Sūktam is part of the Saṃhitā of the Ṛg Veda. The Ṛṣi who downloaded this portion (in the form of mantra-s from the cosmos) is Deva-muni Airaṃmada.
My student Kum. Shravanthi reciting the Āraṇyānī Sūktam
Who Is This Mysterious Devi ?
Forest is pure life energy. It is the sustainer of the planet. The very form of the forest is Āraṇyānī Devi. She, as a mother in the form of a manifest green density, sustains the entire planet and nourishes it.
Āraṇyānī Devi is the very form of solid life energy which sustains the ecosystem - forest !
YES ! Forest is a living consciousness. She nourishes all life-forms. The forest is a Devi.
Video above : My student from Sarawak reciting the Āraṇyānī Sūktam. It was he who inspired me to teach this mantra to everyone.
In the Ṛg Veda, Āraṇyānī Devī is described as a deity who has the deep forests as Her home. She does not come close to the villages where humans reside. In other words, She is far from civilisation.
Further, the Devī is described as having anklets which echo with tinkling sounds. She ever dances gracefully in the forests.
The Veda-s further describe the forest Devī who has a very powerful and graceful presence. She provides food and nourishment for the animals and even visiting humans. The Devī does not harm anyone who comes to the forest region, unless there is a scent of evil intention.
Folk Deities Who Reside in the Forest Region
In the Hindu culture, we have many deities who reign the forest. Any goddess who represents the forest energy can be bannered as Āraṇyānī Devī. The commonest example we can think of is Vana Durgā.
Video: Vana Bhadrakāli Temple in Coimbatore
Image: Āraṇya temple in Arrah, Bihar.
Image: A beautiful forest terrain presided by a close-to-heart Muni temple in Kedah. I always recite Āraṇyānī Sūktam whenever I encounter Her ( forest ) and the experience is amazing. It is blissful beyond words.
Portion of the Vedas learnt in the Forest Region
Āraṇyānī Devī also mothered ancient Veda learners. The Āraṇyaka refers to the portion of the Vedas learnt in the forests in ancient days. These lessons were learnt in strict discipline and secrecy.
In fact, the ṛṣis (downloaders) of the Āraṇyaka are mostly unknown.
I can write all I can in this article but the best way to realise the Vedas is through its recitation and meditation. As the Vedas were downloaded as cosmic sounds, you too, need to reproduce the necessary vibrative frequency to realise the truth it carries.
The truth I saw through the recitation of Āraṇyānī Sūktam was extremely touching. I have ever since, taken a pledge to popularise and teach this sūkta as a prime lesson.
"Forest is a living consciousness..." Absolutely! Thank you
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