Acharya Karan V – In all the cultures, Motherhood is regarded to be the most sacred form of relation as a mother is responsible to bring existence. A mother brings life into being and nurtures it. Mata Aditi, in Hindu mythology, has earned the place of being a celestial mother – one who is primarily regarded to have brought everything into existence.

She bore all the gods and is also considered to be the mother of twelve spirits representing zodiacs. As Brahma is considered to be the creator in the Trinity of Hindu Gods, Mata Aditi is regarded as the feminine form of Lord Brahma, creating universe and everything within it. Rig Veda has as much as 80 references about Mata Aditi, symbolizing the cycle of rebirth every existence goes through in the universe.

Shiv and Bhagvata Puran consider Mata Aditi to be the sage Kashyap’s wife who bore the Gods like Indra and Surya. One of 12 Adityas (sons of Aditi) was Urukrama later known as Lord Vishnu – the preserver and one of the Trinity.

In order to offer veneration to Mata Aditi, the Rig Veda is recited as there is no one particular mantra dedicated to Mata Aditi in Rig Veda and she is mentioned in many hymns with an indirect reference. For example, in one of the hymns mentioned below, Mata Aditi is referred to as a Primal Reality who is being mentioned here as the eater of Ego – the one who destroys later to create existence again.

“Aditi Rdyauraditirantarik Shamaditir Maataa Sa Pitaa Sa Putrah
Vishve Devaa Aditih Pana Janaa Aditirjaata Maditirjanitvam”

Here, Aditi is the ultimate reality and she is the heaven, the atmosphere. Aditi is the one who has existed to bring creation and give birth. The incantation of Rig Veda is performed to cast off evil and negativity as it brings peace and harmony to the atmosphere. The reading of the same coupled with a “Yagya” or sacrificial fire can cleanse the environment, inviting prosperity. As there are indirect references to Mata Aditi in the hymns, chanting of the mantras associated with Indra, Varuna, Rudra and Vishnu pay homage to Mata Aditi also.