Ushaa, the dawn, the morning, is often invoked, and is the subject of some of the most beautiful hymns that are to be found in the lyrical poetry of any ancient nation. (RV, 1. 113)

The Goddess of Dawn is an important and favorite Vaidik Deity. It is the goddess who stirs all creatures and makes them move in this world. The goddess is borne on a chariot. She not only dispels darkness and brings light to mankind but at the same time she brings happiness, hope and all other good things to mankind. She is the goddess of light and beauty and was invoked by the Rishi of early age for their protection.

Ushaa has been described in the Rig Ved as the first self-effulgent white-complexioned though sprung from darkness; as the Mother of the Gods and of the Sun, "Immortal" and "Undecaying" ; as possessing perpetual youth "white-robed"; Doer of good, bright colored, "the daughter of Night" and "the leader of the gods, advancing like a warrior armed with bright weapons" ; as "the wife of the Sun" and "the daughter of Agni" or Prajaapati, as explained by Yaksh ; as "dark-complexioned at first, and white complexioned afterwards," "the leader of all living creatures" and "the sister of Night"; as "the daughter of heaven"; as "the ancient"; as "deserving the homage of all and as "the ancient youthful damsel"; as "the destroyer of darkness"; as "golden colored"; as "the lord of all"; and as "the one who issued forth after breaking the strong gates or barriers of the Mountain".

All the attributes of the Pauraanik Durgaa or Umaa are found iIn Ushaa of Rig Ved. She is represented as Nava Yauvan Sampanna (possessing perpetual youth): Sarv Aabharan Aabhooshit (decked with all kinds of jewelry); Puraatani (ancient); Hiranyamayee (golden-complexioned); Shiv (doer of good); Kaalee (dark-complexioned); Asur Naashinee (destroyer of the powers of darkness); Vividh Aayudh Dhaarinee (like a warrior armed with various weapons): Dev-maataa (mother of the Gods); Daksh Kanyaa (the daughter of Prajaapati Daksh) Giribaalaa (issuing forth after breaking the strong barriers of the mountain) and so forth.

Goddess Ushaa is among the few goddesses who have been mentioned in the Rig Ved. The goddess symbolizes giving up of all negative energies and taking all positive vibes into the life.