Introduction
Dhata, also Dhatri or Dhatar, is a Vedic god whose name means "establisher", "supporter" or "creator". He is counted among the Adityas and, in later texts, is sometimes identified with Brahma or Prajapati.
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, Aryaman, Bhaga, Amsha, Pushan, Tvashtri, Savitri (aspect of Surya), Garuda, Aruna
In the Rigveda
Dhatar is praised as the creator of the sun and moon in the ordered universe. A famous verse (RV 10.190.3) says that Dhata created the sun and moon, heaven and earth, and the sky and light "as before", suggesting repeated cycles of creation.
Dhata and Vidhata
Dhata is paired with Vidhata, "the arranger", and the two are sometimes called the divine creators. In the Puranas, Dhata and Vidhata are also the names of two sons of the sage Bhrigu.
The twelve Adityas
In the Puranic lists of the twelve Adityas, Dhata is the deity of one month of the sun's course in the year.
Meaning
Dhata represents the principle of order and design that sustains the world.