The Deities of the Veda

   It may come as a surprise to many, if we quote how the deities of the Veda came to adore the head of animals. In other words, animal-head has been given to the 'Deities of the Veda" as shown below:
  Rk VEda ShvEta varNastyAt dvibhujO rAsabhAnanaH |
  akShamAlAdharassoumyaH preetOvyAkhyAkRutOdyamaH ||

  Meaning, "Rk Veda purusha white in complexion has two hands and the face of a Donkey; He is gracious holding rosary, pleased and in a mood to explain himself."

  AtharvaabhidO dEvO dhavaLO markaTAnanaH |
  akshamAlAnavitO vAmE dakShO kuMbhadharasmRutaHO ||

 Atharva Veda purusha is divine, fair in complexion, having the monkey head. In his left hand he wears Akshamaala quite strong holding an Earthen pot in his other hand. 

 ajAsyaH peetavarNasyAt yajurvEdOkShasUtradhRut|
 vAmE kulishapANistubhUtidO mangaLapradaH ||

Yajurveda purusha has goat head, and is pink in complexion wearing rosary. He has kulisha in his left hand quite awakened blessing all auspiciousness.

 nIlOtpaladaLa ShyAmO sAmavEdO hayAnanaH |
 akShamAlinvitO dakShO vAmE kuMbhadharasmRutaH ||

  Samaveda purusha has the horse head,darkish in complexion, that of blue lotus leaf. He is strong holding the rosary in the hand and on his other hand holding a pitcher. (Ref.: Ved Ganga, Ed. Prof.C.L.Prabhakar, World Association for Vedic Science, Bangalore Chapter).

   Further, we have the name Hayavadana, meaning horse face for Narayana (Vishnu).  The Lord Vishnu has taken the avatara of fish with a horn (matsya), turtle (kurma), wild boar (varaha), lion head (nr,simha), and is called Sudarshana (the wheel of time)! These are well known facts available from the Vishnu Purana.

   There are any number of stories associated with these in the various epics (purana). It is extremely difficult to explain why the face of animals here? How are we to discern the meaning of all these? Should we dismiss these as nonsensical, as many have done? Or, is there any secret meaning for all these?

  One plausible explanation is given in the Bhagavad-Gita, where Bhagavan Sri Krishna says, I take any number of forms, names, and perform functions. (BG. Ch.X Vibhuti yoga).

  If we take Darwin's theory of evolution, these may be the different cycles of evolutionary changes from the aquatic, amphibian, reptilian, mammalian, and the humanoid races where at the end of each cycle divinity expressed as the culmination of the cycle.The Lord says, "I shall appear again and again as and when there is a collapse of dharma".

   If each and every tiny shrub, plant, tree or animal can attain divinity become eligible for human worship, why not the humans also try for this attainment? If Goutama, the Prince can become an enlightened soul, the Buddha, why not all of us? What is important is jnyan (knowledge), viveka (wisdom) and vairagya (renunciation). These are lacking in us since we are engrossed in worldly pursuits, not aware of the 'divinity inherent' in us.