Parjanya (Sanskrit: parjánya) is according to Vedic Hindu mythology, a deity of rain, the one who fertilizes the earth. The Atharvanic poet claims Parjanya and Prithvi father and mother of all beings. His other wives are Bhūmi and the sacred cow Vasa. It is assumed Parjanya is the udder and lightning is the teats of the rain-cow, accordingly rain represents her milk. Also he is sometimes considered as a rain-bull controlled by the superior Indra. The thunder is his roar. He is the father of arrow or reed which grows rapidly in rainy season. He is also considered as a protector of poets and an enemy of flesh-eating fire.
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Meanings
According to his 1965 Sanskrit–English Dictionary [Vaman Shivram Apte]] gives the following meanings:
In hymns
Two hymns of the Rigveda, 5.83 and 7.101, are dedicated to Parjanya. In Vedic Sanskrit Parjanya means "rain" or "raincloud". Prayers dedicated to Parjanya, to invoke the blessings of rains are mentioned in the Atharvaveda. Parjanya was also one of the Saptarishi (Seven Great Sages Rishi) in the fifth Manvantara. He is one of the 12 Adityas and according to the Vishnu Purana, the guardian of the month of Kartik, a Gandharva and a Rishi in the Harivamsa.
In relation to other deities
The name may be cognate with Slavic Perun, Lithuanian Perkūnas and Finnish Perkele "god of thunder", Gothic fairguni "mountain", Mordvin language Pur’ginepaz, see Perkwunos.
Rig Veda hymns to Parjanya
RV 5.83 in the translation of Griffith:
1a áchā vada tavásaṃ gīrbhír ābhí stuhí parjányaṃ námasâ vivāsa 1c kánikradad vṛṣabhó jīrádānū réto dadhāty óṣadhīṣu gárbham Sing with these songs thy welcome to the Mighty, with adoration praise and call Parjanya. The Bull, loud roaring, swift to send his lays in the plants the seed for germination. 2a ví vṛkṣân hanty utá hanti rakṣáso víśvam bibhāya bhúvanam mahâvadhāt 2c utânāgā īṣate vŕṣṇyāvato yát parjánya stanáyan hánti duṣkŕtaḥ He smites the trees apart, he slays the demons: all life fears him who wields the mighty weapon. From him exceeding strong flees e'en the guiltless, when thundering Parjanya smites the wicked. 3a rathîva káśayâśvāṁ abhikṣipánn āvír dūtân kṛṇute varṣyāaàṁ áha 3c dūrât siṁhásya stanáthā úd īrate yát parjányaḥ kṛṇuté varṣyàṃ nábhaḥ Like a car-driver whipping on his horses, he makes the messengers of rain spring forward. Far off resounds the roaring of the lion, what time Parjanya fills the sky with rain-cloud. 4a prá vâtā vânti patáyanti vidyúta úd óṣadhīr jíhate pínvate svàḥ 4c írā víśvasmai bhúvanāya jāyate yát parjányaḥ pṛthivîṃ rétasâvati Forth burst the winds, down come the lightning-flashes: the plants shoot up, the realm of light is streaming. Food springs abundant for all living creatures, what time Parjanya quickens earth with moisture. 5a yásya vraté pṛthivî nánnamīti yásya vraté śaphávaj járbhurīti 5c yásya vratá óṣadhīr viśvárūpāḥ sá naḥ parjanya máhi śárma yacha Thou at whose bidding earth bows low before thee, at whose command hoofed cattle fly in terror, At whose behest the plants assume all colours, even thou Parjanya, yield us great protection. 6a divó no vṛṣṭím maruto rarīdhvam prá pinvata vŕṣṇo áśvasya dhârāḥ 6c arvâṅ eténa stanayitnúnéhy apó niṣiñcánn ásuraḥ pitâ naḥ Send down for us the rain of heaven, ye Maruts, and let the Stallion's flood descend in torrents. Come hither with this thunder while thou pourest the waters down, our heavenly Lord and Father. 7a abhí kranda stanáya gárbham â dhā udanvátā pári dīyā ráthena 7c dŕtiṃ sú karṣa víṣitaṃ nyàñcaṃ samâ bhavantūdváto nipādâḥ Thunder and roar: the germ of life deposit. Fly round us on thy chariot waterladen. Thine opened water-skin draw with thee downward, and let the hollows and the heights be level. 8a mahântaṃ kóśam úd acā ní ṣiñca syándantāṃ kulyâ víṣitāḥ purástāt 8c ghṛténa dyâvāpṛthivî vy ùndhi suprapāṇám bhavatv aghnyâbhyaḥ Lift up the mighty vessel, pour down water, and let the liberated streams rush forward. Saturate both the earth and heaven with fatness, and for the cows let there be drink abundant. 9a yát parjanya kánikradat stanáyan háṁsi duṣkŕtaḥ 9c prátīdáṃ víśvam modate yát kíṃ ca pṛthivyâm ádhi When thou, with thunder and with roar, Parjanya, smitest sinners down, This universe exults thereat, yea, all that is upon the earth. 10a ávarṣīr varṣám úd u ṣû gṛbhāyâkar dhánvāny átyetavâ u 10c ájījana óṣadhīr bhójanāya kám utá prajâbhyo 'vido manīṣâm Thou hast poured down the rain-flood now withhold it. Thou hast made desert places fit for travel. Thou hast made herbs to grow for our enjoyment: yea, thou hast won thee praise from living creatures.