The Ancient World (HUM 124 - UNC Asheville)/Rig Veda: Puruṣa-sūkta

Rig Veda: Puruṣa-sūkta

Rig Veda: Puruṣa-sūkta is one of many Hindu cosmogonic myths, which describes the role of the deity Purusa. Purusa, as described in this story, is a giant, immortal being whose body makes up the entirety of the physical world (Rig Veda). The different parts of Purusa's body also make up the different social classes in the ancient Hindu world. His mouth became the Brahmin, his arms became the Warrior, his thighs became the People, and his feet the Servants (Rig Veda). Other parts of the universe created by Purusa's body include the sun, made from his eye, the moon, from his mind, the wind, from his breath, space, from his navel, earth, from his feet, and the sky, from his ear (Rig Veda). This story, as it details the creation of the physical world through the body of some deity, has been likened to other "dismemberment myths," which are prevalent in other cultures, such as in Norse mythology (Rig Veda).

Another main point of this story is the idea of sacrifice. Purusa is described as acting as a sacrifice, by the other gods, in order to create the universe. However, Purusa was not only the sacrificial victim used by the gods, he was also the deity to whom the gods offered the sacrifice to. This sacrifice is then mirrored by the practitioners of Hinduism in their own sacrifices (Rig Veda).

This story shows how order is important to Hindu culture, as seen in how Purusa's body, a very sacred thing, is used in the creation of social hierarchy. It also emphasizes an importance on sacrifice dedicated to the gods, as that was the thing that lead to the creation of the world.

Work Cited:

Cosmogonic Myths, "Rig Veda: Puruṣa-sūkta (Hinduism)"