Sadhyas
The sadhyas refers to a class of minor deities in Hinduism. According to the Puranas, they are the sons of Dharma and Sadhya, a daughter of Daksha. Numbering either twelve or seventeen according to various texts, the sadhyas are described to be the embodiments of the rituals and hymns of the Vedas. They are stated to reside with the devas, or dwell in the region between heaven and earth.
Description
The Puranas feature the sadhyas among the nine classes of deities, among the adityas, rudras, vasus, visvedevas, tushitas, abhasvaras, anilas, and the maharajikas. They are sometimes referred to as a class of the devas, or the gaṇadevas.The Agni Purana offers a list of the twelve sadhyas:
- Manas
- Mantā
- Prāṇa
- Nara
- Apāna
- Vīrayān
- Vibhu
- Haya
- Naya
- Haṁsa
- Nārāyaṇa
- Prabhu
Literature