Vayu²  the god of wind according to the Hindu mythology, often linked with Indra, sometimes as his equal, driving in the same chariot, yoked to a thousand steeds. Later, his chariot was depicted as drawn by four parrots. In the Vedas his status is not high like that of Indra or Surya, but he is hailed as the friend of the waters, the first-born, though it is not recorded where he was born. But it is noted in the Purusasukta hymn that he has sprung from Purusa (the spirit primeval), an epithet of Visnu himself, the lord of the north-west quarter, and the father-in-law of Surya (Sun God). All these characteristics in one way or the other allude to his natural characteristics as an elemental force or wind.

In the Ramayana, Vayu, also known as Pavana (wind), is depicted as the father of Rama, as Dasarath's great friend Hanuman. Anjani was the wife of Vayu. In the Mahabharata, Vayu plays an important role. He has been identified with Indra; he assisted Menaka; was invoked by Kunti; he granted her a son, Bhimasena; instructed Arjuna in the use of weapons, including the mighty Vayuvastra; granted two companions to Skanda; and visited Bhisma while he was dying on a bed of arrows on the Kuruksetra battlefield. While Arjuna was wielding the Vayuvastra, Vayu took away the Samsaptakas. He was not credited with the knowledge of the Brahmasiras and he learnt from the sage, Suparna, the creed of Narayana (Visnu).

Vayu's elemental characteristics were transformed into some of his names. He was also called Anila (breath), Sparsana (one who touches), Pavana Vaha (the wind carrier), Gandha Vaha (fragrance bearer), Lala Kantara (one who's costume is water), Sada Gata (perennial mover). In sculpture and iconography, Vayu is portrayed as blue in colour, with two or four hands. In the case of the latter, he stands with his front two hands showing the boon (varada) and protection (abhaya) poses (mudra) while in his backhands he carries a flag and a fan. The fan is apparently symbolic of the wind or breeze.

In the Buddhist pantheon, Vayu is one of the eight Dikpalas (Protectors of the Quarters) and has been assigned to the Vayu corner (north-west). Among the Jainas also Vayu is, as with the Buddhists, one of the Dikpalas, acknowledged by both the Svetambaras and the Digambaras. [Md Mahbub Murshed]