In Indian Vedic mythology (see Vedic Mythology), Aditi is “infinity,” the source of all forms of consciousness including the divine characteristics of the gods themselves. Aditi is also “unity,” whereas her sister Diti or Danu (see Diti) is that force which separates things. Aditi is the source of the divine within humanity. Diti reflects its flawed aspect. Vedic mythology celebrates Aditi as Earth, the goddess who is the source of all living things. She is the mother by the sage Kasyapa of the Ādityas, the “sons of Aditi,” who are gods of the sun (one name for which is Āditya) and are the formative principles of the Universe. Among the personified Ādityas are Sūrya (see Sūrya), Mitra (see Mitra), Varuṇa (see Varuṇa), Aryaman (see Aryaman) and, perhaps most important, the great Vedic king of the gods, Indra (see Indra). In Buddhism (see Buddhism), Āditya is a name sometimes applied to the Buddha (see Gautama Buddha).
