Apah Divine And Purifying Substance - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided text "Apah: Divine and Purifying Substance" by Dr. J. R. Joshi, focusing on the Vedic and ritualistic significance of water (Apah):

The article explores the multifaceted role and perception of Apah (waters) in Vedic literature and ritual, highlighting their divine, purifying, and life-sustaining qualities.

Divine and Mythological Significance:

Deification: Apah are celebrated in four entire hymns of the Rgveda (RV) and many scattered verses, recognizing their divine character. While not possessing distinct mythological personalities, the element of water is consistently recognizable behind their deification. They are also deified in the Avesta as "Apo."
Cosmogonic Role: Apah are prominently featured in Vedic cosmogonic accounts as the female principle and the primordial substance or substratum. They are seen as the origin from which the universe emerged, with Hiranyagarbha (the cosmic golden egg) floating on them before the creation of the spirit that created the universe. Some texts suggest waters existed before certain deities like Vishwakarma, while others state Soma was produced from waters by Prajapati.
Source of Life and Creation: Water is universally recognized as the basis of all existence, supporting animal and vegetable life, fertility, health, and generative power. It is believed to fill the body with liquid and is essential for speech. Everything is said to be produced from water, and the worlds themselves are situated in it.
Unity and the One: The ancient philosophers, observing the continuous flow and intermingling of waters in various forms (clouds, oceans, lakes, streams), came to regard them as the "standard image of the One," representing unity.
Association with Luminaries: A view suggests celestial waters were seen as an ether-like medium on which celestial bodies journeyed. Blockages in these waters were thought to cause long periods of darkness.

Purifying and Cleansing Properties:

Purification: A significant aspect of Apah is their cleansing and purifying character, evident in ritualistic contexts. The act of cleansing sacrificial posts and touching water with specific mantras emphasizes this. Waters are referred to as śuddhāyuvaḥ (possessing pure life) and pavitram (purifier).
Moral Cleansing: This physical cleansing power is extended analogously to moral cleansing, with waters being invoked to free individuals from sins like speaking untruth or committing adultery.

Healing and Nourishing Power:

Medicinal Qualities: Waters are described as nourishing, strengthening, and life-giving, extending to being called medicina (medicine) and the source of healing and immortality. This quality is reflected in marriage ceremonies where waters are sprinkled with the formula for medicinal benefit.
Essence of Plants: Apah are considered the essence of plants, and their combined consumption with plants leads to satisfaction. The ritualistic act of taking the "essence of water that is of the plants" confirms this.
Sweetness and Ambrosia: Waters are said to possess a special quality of madhu (sweetness), potentially denoting medicinal or healing power, and are also referred to as ambrosia.

Ethical and Truthful Aspects:

Truth Embodied: Waters are equated with truth itself, with their flow being seen as a manifestation of truth. They are also said to be established in Om, with the earth based on them and their existence supported by Truth.

Procreative and Motherly Aspects:

Female Principle: Apah are consistently stressed as the root cause of the universe and the original female principle.
Progeny and Fertility: They are associated with fertility and the bestowing of progeny. Rituals and prayers invoke Apah for male progeny, symbolizing their role in creation and continuation of life. This is seen in prayers where water is poured for male progeny and in rituals where a jar of water is placed on a mother's head for her to have a good son.
Mother of Gods: In some instances, waters are referred to as the wives of the gods, bearing embryos and giving birth to animals. The Sun is also described as the son of waters, explaining their flow towards the east and west.

Ritualistic Importance and Classification:

Ritual Purity: Various ritualistic acts involve water for purification, such as the prokşaņa (sprinkling) to render entities sacrificially pure.
Symbolism: A jar full of water is a symbol of the divinity Apah, worshipped in rites like svastivācana.
Different Kinds of Water: The development of ritual led to distinctions between various sources of water, including ordinary water, ocean water, river water (like Sarasvati), dewdrops, and even "sun-motes." Each is associated with specific qualities and ritualistic purposes.
Water Cycle: The Taittiriya Aranyaka describes a water cycle involving clouds, lightning, thunder, and rain, illustrating the dynamic nature of Apah in the universe.
Consecration and Protection: Waters are used to consecrate and purify things, and paryuksana (sprinkling around) serves as a protective factor.

Relationship with Other Deities and Concepts:

Varuna: Varuna is considered the ruler of waters.
Moon: The moon is described as the "flower of waters."
Agni and Plants: Waters are connected with Agni and are equated with plants. Darbha grass is said to have originated from the pure part of waters mixed with Vritra's body.
Savitr: Waters are found to be connected with Savitr in rituals.

Variations and Unfavorable Aspects:

Udaka vs. Apah: A distinction is sometimes made between "Apah" (divine waters) and "Udaka" (element of water), though the terms can also refer to water divinities.
Directional Association: The north-east direction is specifically related to Apah, while other texts link them to the east or north.
Cruel Aspects: While generally revered, some mantras acknowledge a cruel, impure, or violent aspect of waters, praying for its removal.

In essence, the article presents Apah as a fundamental and powerful entity in Vedic thought, encompassing creation, sustenance, purification, healing, and ethical conduct. Their divine nature is woven into the fabric of Vedic cosmology, rituals, and daily life, reflecting their profound significance.