Ushas is a Vedic goddess. She is called the ‘Goddess of Dawn and Shining Morning’. Her abode is the Sun and she mounts the Golden Chariot. Her consort is the Surya while her siblings are Chandra, Nindra and Ratri. Her children are the Ashvins. She has a sister named Ratri (Night). Her name is mentioned in the Rigvedic hymns in which she is considered to be the life of living creatures, sets everything in motion, she chases away the bad demons, awakens all living beings and makes everyone go and perform their regular duties. Ushas drives away harsh darkness and impels breath and action. She is the eliminator of confusion and chaos and ensures Rta – moral and cosmic order in Hinduism.
A number of hymns in the Rigveda have petitioned, acknowledged and thanked her for driving away darkness and ensure that light arrives daily. The Rig Veda depicts Ushas as the most superior goddess. She rides across the sky in a beautiful golden chariot drawn by cows or red horses, to her destination Surya, the Vedic Sun God. She is portrayed as a young woman who is beautifully adorned. The Vedas dedicate some of the most beautiful hymns in her name.
The name Vedic Ushas is taken from the word ‘Usa’ meaning ‘Dawn’. Depicted as the ‘breath of all breaths’ and ‘the life of all life’, Ushas is the one who permeates life to all beings. She gives new vigor and life to the earth each and everyday. Ushas is depicted as an irresistibly attractive, beautiful and smiling maiden who brings in joy and cheer to all who look upon her. She marks time, symbolizes reality and reminds all that ‘life is limited on earth’.
