Aryaman (अर्यमन्, pronounced as "əryəmən"; nominative singular is aryamā) is one of the early Vedic deities (devas) of the Hindu pantheon. His name literally means a bosom friend, but is often confused as "the protector of the Aryans". He is an Aditya, a solar deity. He is supposed to be the chief of the manes and the Milky Way is supposed to be his path.