Dyaus-pitar

9.9

A sky god in early Hindu stories who is the father of other gods

proper noun

Literature

: Dyaus-pitar

In Hindu mythology, Dyaus-pitar is the god of the sky.

Examples

Scholars compare Dyaus-pitar to Zeus and Jupiter in Greek and Roman mythology.
Legends describe Dyaus-pitar as the father of other important Vedic gods.
In the ancient Vedas, Dyaus-pitar is invoked as the primordial sky god.
Dyaus-pitar is often depicted as a father figure.
In the ancient Vedas, Dyaus-pitar is invoked as the primordial sky god.
Legends describe Dyaus-pitar as the father of other important Vedic gods.
In Hindu mythology, Dyaus-pitar is revered as the god of the sky.

Synonyms

Dyaus

vsDyaus-pitar

Literature

1 9.9

An early Hindu god who represents the sky

is regarded as a father figure and predecessor to later deities

Dyaus Pita

vsDyaus-pitar

Literature

9.9

A sky god who is the father of the gods in old Hindu stories

is presented mainly as an earlier father figure who precedes later deities

Surface Forms

Dyaus-pitar main

Etymology

Dyaus-pitar comes from ancient Sanskrit parts dyaus 'sky' and pitar 'father'. It is like Zeus or Jupiter — the 'sky father' and the father of later gods, which is why Dyaus-pitar is seen as a father figure in Vedic stories.