ditya and Varha

-Arun Kumar Upadhyay, M.Sc. AIFC

B-9, CB-9, Cantonment Road, Cuttack-

753001
0671-2304172/2304433, (M)
09437034172
arunupadhyay30@yahoo.in
(Abstract)
This article explains meanings of these 2 words in Vedas basically from
cosmological view. ditya is the primary state of world at 3 levels called DhmaUnverse, galaxy and solar system. The absolute base of all is Parama dhma.
The dityas of these have been called Aryam, Varua, Mitra. The spread matter
in these have been named water of different types. The completed creation is
earth of 3 types surrounded by 3 skies called dyv-pthiv or 3 mothers and 3
fathers. Intermediate structures are varha meaning boar (animal of land-water
both) or cloud (mixture of gas-water). In space, there are 5 varhas or clouds.
Counting stages of creation on earth, there are a total of 9 clouds or formative
stages. The creation cycles of each is a yaja whose time periods give measures
of 9 units of time listed in srya-siddhnta. That explains nature of 9 sargas
(stages of creation) in puras. Bhgavata counts 10 sargas including the
original abstract source. Physical and internal meanings of ditya and varha are
also explained.
1.Stages of creation-Universe has 3 stages-(1) Its original source is Rasa,
which means uniform homogenous material.

( /)

(2) Initial form is ditya (di = beginning). Intermediate form is Varha (boar or
cloud) which is called Pitara (prototype, parents) also. (3) Final form is collection
of galaxies, galaxy and stars-called 3 Dhmas.
Creation by Brahma (God) has been called su-kta (=good work). In, Bible, Old
Testament Genesis-1, it had been translated that after each stage of creation,
God was telling that it was very good, giving certificate to Himself.
Rasa is further divided into 3 stages(a) Rasa of Universe is sarir or salila-i.e. water with waves. Here, water is intergalactic matter and galaxies are waves.

, ( /)
( ///)
( /)
( /)
( /)
( /)
( /)
( ///)
( ///, ///)
( ///) ( ///)
( ///)
( ///)
( //)
( ///)
(b) Rasa of galaxy is Ap or ambha (i.e. water with sound).

( ///)
( ///)
1

 ()
( /)
( /)
( ///)
Radiation within exclusive zone of a star is Rudana (crying) and so, the solar
system is called Rodas. Radiation of inter-stellar space is Krandana (silent
weeping). Zone of galaxy is, thus, Krandas . Sanyat (stable) is space of
universe.

() (-) ( ///)
( /,/) ( ///, ///,
///) ( ) ( //)
( /)
(//, /, ///)
( //)
(c) Water of solar system is called Mara (dying or decaying) as creation within it
is relatively short lived. Its source is called Marchi (Sun).

( ///)
( ///)

( //)
2.Dhmas-Thus, Universe has 4 Dhmas (Places) and its waters (spread
materials) areDhma
1. Parama (Highest)
2. Uttama (Upper)
3. Madhyama (middle)
4. Avama (Lower)

Meaning
Whole Universe
1011 galaxies
1011 stars of galaxy
Solar system

Water
Rasa
Sarir or Salila
Ap or Ambha
Mara

( //)
These dhma have a compact base called earth or mother and sky around them

called father. Thus, there are 3 mothers and 3 fathers, or 3 earths (bhmi) and 3
skies (dyu).

( //)

( //)

The 3 earths have been defined as the zone lighted by rays of sun and moon(1) Earth planet is lighted by both sun and moon. It has oceans, rivers,
mountains all. (2) Earth of solar system is exclusive zone lighted by sun. Its
planetary system has been called wheel shaped earth of 100 crore yojanas (1
yojana = 1000 parts of earths equatorial diameter)-up to orbit of Neptune. Its
half part up to Uranus is Loka (bright) and outer part is Aloka (darker) part
(Bhgavata pura, skandha 5). The regions formed by apparent rotation of
planets of Loka part has been called Dvpa (continents) and intervening zones as
oceans with same names as on earth planet.
(3) The last limit of suns rays where it is seen as a point is the third and biggest
earth called Parameh maala (largest sphere). As an egg of the Brahma, it is
Brahma. As last reach of sun rays (Srya siddhnta 12/82), it is called
Parama-pada (extreme step) of Viu (Sun). The central rotating disc is called a
river (ka-gang).
Next verse of Viu pura tells that starting from each earth, its sky has same
diameter or circumference, which is of earth planet (starting from man). Thus,
2

man, earth planet, planet of solar system (in gravitational field of sun) and
galaxy-all are successively 107 times bigger.

( //-)

Original stage of each of 3 dhma (except parama) is ditya-i.e. it was the

beginning (di) stage. ditya of Universe, galaxy and solar system are Aryam,
Varua and Mitra. These stages are approximately seen now in intermediate
spaces (antarika)-Ref. gveda 2/27/8.
3. Meaning of ditya- ditya has been defined in Nirukta (2/13) of Yska in 4
ways(1) Which extracts or takes rasa (juice)-
(2) Which takes light or energy of bright stars-
(3) Which receives light from bright nakatra (constellations)-
(4) Sons of Aditi-Sun and other gods have been called ditya - (
//)
With this meaning-Mitra, Varua, Aryam, Daka, Bhaga, Ama- also are ditya.
Next paragraph (2/14) of Nirukta gives 7 meanings or synonyms of ditya(1) Svah ()-Svah has 3 derivations (a) Su+araa (+)=Which moves ahead
easily.
(b) Su + raah ( + )-Which thoroughly destroys darkness.
(c) Su + tah ( + ) = ta (field of influence) where light, gravitational pull
etc. are felt.
(2) Pni () -Pra + anate ( + ) -Which spreads colours or touches
thoroughly ( )
(3) Nka ()-(a) Which takes rasa ( )
(b) Which receives light or collection of stars ( ).
(c) Dyau ( = bright sky) is also nka as it removes lack of sorrow. Ka ( = )
= happiness, Aka ( = ) = lack of happiness or sorrow. Nka-removes (na)
aka.

( //)
Agni is named nka which protects.

( /) = We desire to go nka, not this

world.
(4) Gau ()-Which moves in space and takes rasa there. It reaches far away from
earth, so it is dyau also. Planets and stars move in it, so it is called gau (= go, in
English).
(5) Viap ()-Which injects juices (). It is normally used for tree, which takes
juice from earth through its roots and takes them to its leaves. Current of river
also is viapa as Triviap (Tibet) has three viapa (Viapa)-Brahma-viapa is
eastern part from where the water is drained through Brahmaputra (meaning son
of Brahm) river to sea. The land beyond Brahmaputra river is Brahm (Burm),
now called Mymmra (= mah + amara = great among gods i.e. Brahm).
Central part around Kailsa mountain (abode of iva) is iva-viapa whose water
is drained through Gang river famed to have arisen from hair locks of iva. West
part is Viu-viapa drained through Sindhu river whose daughter is Lakm
(Vaio-dev shrine).
The chain of creation from Svayambh (whole world) via Parameh (galaxy),
Saura (solar system), Chndra (sphere containing moon orbit), Bh (earth) is
called eternal tree (e.g. Gt 15/1), which has been called skambha in Atharvaveda (10/7). Formless Brahma sees this tree remaining stand-still-

( //) (/)
3

 ( /)

(6) Dyau ()-Gau () and viapa ()-both have been called dyau also which
contain light (divah = lighted) and pious souls.
((7) Nabha ()-Which carries away juice or light, or which is collection of
constellations ( , , ) Or, it is opposite of Bhana (= which
is not lighted).
4.Varha- Original matter is water of different levels-i.e. it is spread almost
uniformly like ocean. Compact block of matter is like earth. Intermediate
formative stage is called Varha (boar) which is an animal of land and water
both. It is called cloud also, which is intermediate between air (gas) and water
(rains). Intermediate stages are called Pitara (parents).
= (=) + = which collects water. Varha or Varhrah is cloud
(megha)- , ( /)
Five Varhas- In space, there are 5 Varha corresponding to 5 levels (parva) of
world forms(1) Svayambh-This is whole universe. Condensation of gaseous nebula which
formed galaxies is called di-Varha, i.e. Initial cloud or boar. Svayambh is
called Brahm which is creator form of Brahma. Even the matter is Brahma, so
he used himself for creation of world. That process is called tapa (heat, hard
work).

( //)
- - ? , ()-
( ///)

(2) Parameh First unit of creation was galaxy. As the largest block, it is called
Parameh. Its creative field is 10 times bigger and is called Krma (kurmah =
we create)-It is 1018 yojanas, while galaxy is of Parrdha (1017 ) yojana, called
Parama-guh of parrdha size in Kahopaniad (1/3/1) and asya-vmya skta
(gveda 1/164/12). Varha of this zone is called Yaja-varha as this is start of
creation (yaja). Brahma is the whole. It has micro fluctuations at each point.
Visible motion is called Karma. Action is defined in modern physics as (force x
displacement). That action is which produces desired objects in cycles. The
sequence of Brahma-karma-yajja is indicated at start of Gt, chapter 8 and is
defined in Gt (3/10,16)

( ///)
() - (
///)
- -- -
- - ( ///)

( , , )

( //)

(, )
(3) Saura-It is Solar system defined as the zone in which sun light is more (than
background of galaxy) and is taken as 30 dhma , where each is double the size
of previous, starting with earth (Bhadrayaka upaniad 3/3/2). Earth has 3
zones within it, thus there are 3 + 30 = 33 in solar system. Pra of each is a
devat. The 33 devat are-8 Vasu, 11 Rudra and 12 ditya . Between 3 zones
4

there are 2 Avinas at junction points, which are called nsik (nose) also.
Prajpati is at 34th dhma. Since sun is source of light, its varha is called vetavarha.

( //)
- ( ///)

( ///)

( //, , , //, //, . /, ///)

( ///, ///,
//, //)
...
..... ( //)
(-) ( ///, . /)
, .. ( //, /)
( ///)
()
()- ( ///)
(4) Bh-Varha-This is the zone whose matter was condensed into earth and
moon. Vyu pura (6/12) calls this varha as 100 yojana high and 10 yojana
wide. In terms of sun-diameter, earth is 108-109 units away from sun. Thus, it is
in body of extending from 100-110 yojana from sun, where diameter of sun is
called a yojana. Earth size is 109 parts of sun diameter, thus its varha is 1100
times bigger.
(5) Ema-varha-This is adjacent (ema) to earth and is taken as
atmosphere. Bigger version is earth of 10 angula (10 diameters of sun) as
indicated about Bh-varha.
) - (
(
///)
5. Physical meaning-Mitra and Varua are near and far. Aryam is neutral
reference. In hemisphere visible above horizon, east half is Mitra, west half is
Varua. Central line (meridian) in north-south direction is Aryam. For main part
of Bhrata (Kumrik-Undivided India up to Afghanistan), immediate neighbor is
Persia, called Mitra and further west is Varua, i.e. Arab. Varua was P i.e.
head of Ps-still title of rulers in west Asia. Vasiha was Maitr- Varua, i.e.
son of both as he united both parts. In meridian line itself, north end is Vasiha
and south end Agastya-famous astronomers of north and south parts. Among
contacts, Mitra is friend, Varua is distant or enemy, Aryam is judge or neutral.
In a yaja, Mitra is sun or its light, Varua is water and Aryam is central pole
(ypa).
Solar system has 3 zones for Mitra, Varua Aryam-called 3 steps of Viu-Heat
zone up to 100 sun-diameters, bright zone up to 1000 units (called Sahasrka
=Indra, Aka = eyes or sun) and 10 5 units called Maitrya-maala (Viu pura
2/7/5).

() ( /)
( //)
( //)
( //)
( //)
5

There are 2 zones also within solar system-Center of planetary system is

Jupiter (Bhaspati) and almost vacant zone with radiation (Indra). These
are prayed in nti-pha ( //)
There are 3 zones within earth also-

(, , ) ( //)
6. Clouds and time-scales-Srya siddhnta (14/1) has indicated 9 time-

scales.
( /)
Measurable time is called Janya as it is measure of time period of yaja which
produces in cycle-

( /)

Correspondingly, there are 9 sargas (forms and stages) of creation is Viu

pura (1/5/19-25). Bhgavata pura (3/10) counts 10 sargas including abstract
source (Avyakta). Time period of creation of 9 levels of visible creation from
abstract is called Kalpa or day (Ahar) of Brahm and merging back of all in
abstract is his night ( /)
9 visible stages of creation are from creative surroundings called Parjanya (pari
surrounding, janya =creative). Main yaja is farming which produces anna (food)
necessary for survival of man. In that context parjanya means cloud.

( /)

In general, all creative forms are cloud or varha. In space, there are 5, but
there are a total of 9 clouds for 9 time scales-indicated in Old Testament,
Genesis, 1. This indicates 4 clouds on earth. Vedic texts count 4 types of clouds
also, but that is for rains-Nga, Parvata, Vabha, Arbuda as per shape.
According to quantity of water, 4 types are-Pukara, vartta, Samvartta, Droa .
Here, clouds are creative forms. 9 time scales are(1) Brhma-1 day-night = 2 kalpa =8640 million years = 264 earth diameter
(in light years).
(2) Prjpatya-Creation starts from galaxy whose axial rotation period is
manvantara. Mana (mind) is function of brain, which is image of galaxycells in brain are equal to number of stars in galaxy. So, rotation of galaxy
is manvantara of 306.8 million years.
(3) Divya-For astronomy, it is 360 solar years indicated in 2 ways-it is rotation
period of an imaginary planet at 60 AU, called nakatra-kak, where
60,000 Blakhilyas of anguha (1 angula =96th part of earth as man =
135 km) size are rotating. North-south motion of sun on earth surface is
divya dina, its year is divya. In context of saptari, year divya year is solar
year (Vyu pura, 3030 mnua year or 2700 divya year).
(4) Guru year-Period of Jupiter in 1 sign by mean motion (361.0486 days) is
Guru year in Vivasvn system followed in north India. Pitmaha system of
south takes solar year as Guru year.
(5) Solar-10 motion of sun is day, 300 motion is month and complete revolution
is 1 solar year.
(6) Chndra-Moon rotates around earth in 27.3 days. 12 such revolutions in
324 days are mnua year in context of saptari era. Synodic revolution of
moon relative to sun is in 29.5 days-called lunar month with 2 pakas of
about 15 days each. 30 part of lunar month is a tithi. 12 such months are
lunar year of 354 days.
(7) Pitara-Pitaras (manes) live on moon surface away from earth. Thus, dark
half of lunar month is day and bright half is night for them. 30 such daynights are pitara month and 12 such months are their year.
6

(8) Svana-It is civil day from sunrise to next sunrise at a place. 30 such days
= 1 month, 12 months = 1 year.
(9) Nkatra-Sidereal rotation of earth is Nkatra day, 4 minutes shorter than
Svana day. It has similar month and year of 30 and 360 days.
Time scales (5) to (9) above relate to various stages of creation on earth-that can
be plants and animals of water, air and land. Present great cycle is called vetaVarha Kalpa-

( ///-)
7. Physical forms-Varha incarnation of Viu was in human form who had
killed Hirayka in about 16000 BC. He had put on mask of boar which was
worshipped by Asuras and entered his capital through Amazon river (Zend
Avesta). As a friend, he was welcome, but afterwards he killed Hirayka. Since
then boar has become a taboo among religion of asura region of west Asia.
Within human body, sun is tm, in particular Vijna-tm controlling buddhi
(intellect) is linked with sun at speed of light. Moon is linked with Prajna-tm,
controlling mind. Varha is meda (fat) or gross body. Rudra is 11 organs of action
and perception and mind. Including tm, they are 12 dityas.
In space, there are 8 dityas for 8 divya (cosmic) creations of snkhya-average
pra of 7 lokas and 1 universal. Or, 8 prakti are combination of 3 guas = 23.
For, energy of sun felt in 12 months, there are 12 dityas and 12 jyotir-lingas.
These are also names of 12 outer dhmas of solar system. In Deva yuga, dityas
were 12 main tribes of Devas.