Dhata
In Hinduism, Dhata or Dhatri is the name of the solar deity, one of the Adityas.[1][2][3] He is also a god of health and magic. He is invoked in tantra by drawing tantras and chanting Vedic hymns. Often invoked during major yagnas such as Ashwamedha yagna.
| Dhata | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Adityas |
| Color | yellow |
| Texts | Vedas, Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas |
| Gender | male |
| Personal information | |
| Parents | |
| Siblings | Adityas |
| Consorts |
|
| Children |
|
Dhata is evidenced as an Aditya in both Hindu epics - the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.[4] He is described to fought Arjuna and Krishna in burning of Khandava Forest episode in the epic Mahabharata.[2] The Bhagavata Purana also mentions Dhata as the seventh son of Aditi and Kashyapa. In this text, he has four wives — Kuhu, Sinivali, Raka, and Anumati — who gave birth to his sons — Sayam, Darsha, Pratar and Purnamasa respectively.[5] In the Agni Purana, he is associated with the colour yellow and the zodiac cancer.[6]
Notes
- John Muir. Original Sanskrit Texts on the Origin and History of the People of India, Their Religion and Institutions, Volume 2. p. 106.
- Mani p. 232
- Lochtefeld, James G. (2001l). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Volume 1. The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. p. 10. ISBN 978-0-8239-3179-8.
- Mani p. 265
- Bhagavata Purana, Book 6 - Sixth Skandha, Chapter 18
- Mani p. 265
References
- Mani, Vettam (1975). Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary With Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 0-8426-0822-2.