Vayu is the Hindu God of Wind. Vayu is the member of the Pancha Bhoota and is called the Lord of the Wind. He rides a gazelle which represents swiftness and resides in Pawanloka. Lord Vayu is known by other names including Tanun, Anil, Vata, Pavan and Vyan. He uses the Goad as weapon. Names of his siblings include Samudra, Agni, Brihaspati, Varuna, Dyaus, Indra and Varuna. Vayu has a number of children including Gandhavayu, Makanaka, Setubandha, Mahabhra, Pavana, Kuvara, Hanuman, (spiritual son), Yajavraka, Ruchi, Gopa, Bhima (spiritual son) and Madhavacharya (third incarnation).
In Sanskrit, Vayu is described as a primary Hindu God, as Hanuman’s spiritual father and the father of Hanuman. Vayu is also called as Vata (Airy element), Anila (Wind, Air), Prana (Breath), Vyana (Air), Pavana (Purifier) and Tanuna (Wind). In Hinduism, one of the classical elements is Yayu (Air or Wind).
The term Vayu is also used as another word for Prana or Vata. Vayuputra is another name used for Lord Hanuman. In the Mahabharata, Bhima (incarnation of Vayu) used his mace, skill and great power to support Dharma.
Vayu is described in various hymns as driven by either 2 or 49 or 1000 purple and white horses in a shining coach. His beauty is exceptional with a white banner being his important attribute. Yayu is described as being heroic, a fighter, powerful and a destroyer, like the other atmospheric gods. Vayu is stated in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, as a deity who takes charge of bodily functions to identify who is the greatest amongst them.
