Viraj is called the Hindu Creator Goddess or the Primordial Creative Goddess. In the times before time, she is believed or was considered to be the first female goddess. In Sanskrit, Viraj means splendor, excellence or sovereignty. The deity’s feminine creativity was so astounding that it helped in energizing the creation of creation. Very often, Viraj has been epitomized as the Secondary Creator. Viraj is also the name of a metre.
As per Hindu mythology, Viraj is born from Viraj and in turn Viraj is born from Viraj. Viraj is a Cow or with life-breath ‘Prana’. The name of Purusha (a primeval being) is called Viraj according to the Mahabharata. Purusha is identified with Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
As presented in the Manu Smriti 1.32 that the body of Brahma was split into a female part and a male part. While Viraj was born out of the female part, it was Viraj who produced Svayambhuva Manu. The ten Prajapatis were created by Manu. The Bhavishya Purana indicates that the female part was Shatarupa and male was Manu. When Shatrupa and Viraj came into union, the process of creation started. The deity is associated with supreme intellect.
The Atharvaveda identifies Viraj with Paramesthtin, Indra, Prajapati and Agni with Water, Devata, Brahmachari, Vishnu, Rudra, Savitr and the world with controlling Lord Indra with their wide spreading immortal power of ruling. The deity in other words is identified with the Universe, with Earth, with speech, with first and creative principle, the atmosphere, the father of Brahman, with the udder of the frame of creation, with death and with Dhruva (the point of heavens) under the feet directly.
