Indian Philosophy v1.c8.s2.126

v1.c8.s2.126

We also come across certain goddesses similarly developed. Uṣas and Aditi are goddesses. The river Sindhu is celebrated as a goddess in one hymn,¹ and Sarasvatī, first the name of a river, gradually becomes the goddess of learning.² Vāk is the goddess of speech. Araṇyānī is the goddess of the forest.³ The later Śākta systems utilise the goddesses of the Ṛg-Veda. The Vedic Aryan prayed to the Śakti or the energy of God, as he meditated on the adorable divine light that burnt up all dross: "Come thou, O goddess, that granteth our prayers, Thou art the unperishing, the equal of Brahman."⁴