Aryaman

Aryaman (Sanskrit: अर्यमन्‌, romanized: Āryaman) is one of the early Vedic Hindu deities.[2] His name signifies "Life-Partner", "close friend", "Partner", "play-fellow" or "companion".[3] He is the third son of Kashyapa and Aditi, the father and mother of the adityas, and is depicted as the mid-morning sun disc. He is the deity of customs, and rules over the customs that rule the various Vedic tribes and people.[4]

In the Rigveda, Aryaman is described as the protector of mares and stallions, and the Milky Way (aryamṇáḥ pánthāḥ) is said to be his path.[3] Aryaman is commonly invoked together with Mitra-Varuna, Bhaga, Bṛhaspati, and other adityas and asuras.[3]

According to Griffith, the Rigveda also suggests that Aryaman is a supreme deity alongside Mitra and Varuna.[5] According to the Rigveda, Indra, who is traditionally considered the most important deity in the Rigveda, is asked to obtain boons and gifts from Aryaman.[6] Hindu marriage oaths are administered with an invocation to Aryaman being the witness to the event.[7][8][4] Aryaman also is the deity of the customs of hospitality.[4]