vāyuḥ

1. vāyu m. ( fr. √ 2. vā) wind, air (as one of the 5 elements; in MBh. 7 winds are reckoned), RV. &c. &c.

the god of the wind (often associated with Indra in the Ṛg - veda , as Vāta [ q.v. ] with Parjanya , but although of equal rank with Indra , not occupying so prominent a position; in the Puruṣasūkta he is said to have sprung form the breath of Puruṣa , and elsewhere is described as the son-in-law of Tvaṣṭṛ ; be is said to move in a shining car drawn by a pair of red or purple horses or by several teams consisting of ninety-nine or a hundred or even a thousand horses [ cf. niyut]; he is often made to occupy the same chariot with Indra , and in conjunction with him honoured with the first draught of the Soma libation; he is rarely connected with the Marut s, although in i, 134, 4 , he is said to have begotten them from the rivers of heaven; he is regent of the Nakṣatra Svāti and north-west quarter See lokapāla), ib.

the wind of the body, a vital air (of which 5 are reckoned, viz. prA Ra , apA na , samāna, udāna, and vyāna; or nāga, kūrma, kṛkara, devadatta, and dhanaṃjaya), Hariv. ; Sāṃkhyak. ; Vedāntas.