Introduction
Aryaman is one of the Adityas, a Vedic god associated with hospitality, marriage bonds and nobility. In the Puranic tradition, he is the chief of the Pitris, the deceased ancestors.
The Adityas are the sons of Aditi. The Rigveda names six (Mitra, Aryaman, Bhaga, Varuna, Daksha and Amsha in hymn 2.27), and later texts list eight or twelve. In the Puranas, the twelve Adityas correspond to the twelve months of the year, and each rides in the sun's chariot in its month. The lists vary.
Family
- Father: Kashyapa
- Mother: Aditi
- Siblings: Vishnu, Surya, Indra, Varuna, Mitra, Bhaga, Dhata, Amsha, Pushan, Tvashtri, Savitri (aspect of Surya), Garuda, Aruna
In the Rigveda
Aryaman is praised as a god who brings together bride and groom, and he is invoked in the wedding hymn (RV 10.85) with Bhaga and Pushan. He is also a guardian of guests and social bonds. In the Vedic tradition, the word aryaman also means "companion" or "friend".
Leader of the ancestors
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says that among the Pitris he is Aryaman. In the Puranas, Aryaman is the lord of the Pitris and receives offerings in the shraddha rites.
Nakshatra
Aryaman is the deity of the lunar mansion Uttara Phalguni, which is associated with marriage and friendship.
Comparative
The god has an Iranian counterpart in Airyaman, a divine being associated with healing and friendship in the Avesta.
In the Puranas
In the Vishnu Purana, Aryaman is one of the twelve Adityas, a son of Kashyapa and Aditi, and is associated with the month of the sun's course.