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| ==== Surya's Companions ==== | | ==== Surya's Companions ==== |
− | Kurmapurana's Adhyaya 42, describes the Devatas, Rishis, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Yakshas, Serpents and Rakshasas who accompany Surya in his chariot at different times. Their function is as follows<blockquote>एते तपन्ति वर्षन्ति भान्ति वान्ति सृजन्ति च । भूतानामशुभं कर्म व्यपोहन्तीह कीर्त्तिताः ।। ४२.२१<ref name=":5" /></blockquote><blockquote>एते सहैव सूर्येण भ्रमन्ति दिवि भानुगाः । विमाने च स्थितो नित्यं कामगे वातरंहसि ।। ४२.२२</blockquote>Meaning: They are glorified as those who give heat, showers of rain, shine, blow, create and anihilate the inauspicious activities of the living beings. These followers of Surya accompany him as he revolves in heavens. They are seated in his aerial chariot that has the velocity of wind and that can go wherever according to wish.<ref name=":6">Tagare, Ganesh Vasudeo. (1981) ''[https://archive.org/stream/KurmaPurana.Vol.1/Kurma%20Purana.%20Vol.%201#page/n329/mode/1up The Kurma Purana, Part 1]'' Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass </ref> | + | Kurmapurana's Adhyaya 42, describes the Devatas, Rishis, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Yakshas, Serpents and Rakshasas who accompany Surya in his chariot at different times. Their function is as follows<blockquote>एते तपन्ति वर्षन्ति भान्ति वान्ति सृजन्ति च । भूतानामशुभं कर्म व्यपोहन्तीह कीर्त्तिताः ।। ४२.२१<ref name=":5" /></blockquote><blockquote>एते सहैव सूर्येण भ्रमन्ति दिवि भानुगाः । विमाने च स्थितो नित्यं कामगे वातरंहसि ।। ४२.२२</blockquote><blockquote>''ete tapanti varṣanti bhānti vānti sr̥janti ca । bhūtānāmaśubhaṁ karma vyapohantīha kīrttitāḥ ।। 42.21''</blockquote><blockquote>''ete sahaiva sūryeṇa bhramanti divi bhānugāḥ । vimāne ca sthito nityaṁ kāmage vātaraṁhasi ।। 42.22''</blockquote>Meaning: They are glorified as those who give heat, showers of rain, shine, blow, create and anihilate the inauspicious activities of the living beings. These followers of Surya accompany him as he revolves in heavens. They are seated in his aerial chariot that has the velocity of wind and that can go wherever according to wish.<ref name=":6">Tagare, Ganesh Vasudeo. (1981) ''[https://archive.org/stream/KurmaPurana.Vol.1/Kurma%20Purana.%20Vol.%201#page/n329/mode/1up The Kurma Purana, Part 1]'' Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass </ref> |
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− | Brahmapurana (Purvabhaga, Adhyaya 23) further describes the concept of Surya's chariot.<blockquote>सरथोऽधिष्ठितो देवैरादित्यैर्मुनिभिस्तथा ।। गंधर्वैरप्सरोभिश्च ग्रामणीसर्पराक्षसैः ।। २३.१ ।।</blockquote>The chariot is occupied and presided over by the Devatas (Adityas), Rishis, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Gramanis, Serpents and Rakshasas. This sublime concept of the chariot is based on the Yajurveda (15.15.19). | + | Brahmapurana (Purvabhaga, Adhyaya 23) further describes the concept of Surya's chariot.<blockquote>सरथोऽधिष्ठितो देवैरादित्यैर्मुनिभिस्तथा ।। गंधर्वैरप्सरोभिश्च ग्रामणीसर्पराक्षसैः ।। २३.१ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>''saratho'dhiṣṭhito devairādityairmunibhistathā ।। gaṁdharvairapsarobhiśca grāmaṇīsarparākṣasaiḥ ।। 23.1 ।।''</blockquote>The chariot is occupied and presided over by the Devatas (Adityas), Rishis, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Gramanis, Serpents and Rakshasas. This sublime concept of the chariot is based on the Yajurveda (15.15.19). |
| * Devatas, Rishis and Gandharvas represent light and immortality - the actinic portion of the solar spectra. | | * Devatas, Rishis and Gandharvas represent light and immortality - the actinic portion of the solar spectra. |
| * Serpents, Gramanis and Rakshasas signify heat or death or the thermal field of the solar spectra. | | * Serpents, Gramanis and Rakshasas signify heat or death or the thermal field of the solar spectra. |
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| === विषुवत् || Vishuva (Equinox) === | | === विषुवत् || Vishuva (Equinox) === |
− | Brahmandapurana defines Vishuva or Equinox as follows <blockquote>सूर्येण विषुवं विद्या त्कालं सोमेन लक्षयेत् ।। समा रात्रिरहश्चैव यदा तद्विषुवं भवेत् ।। २१.१४८ ।। (Brhm. Pura. Purv. 21.148)<ref>Brahmanda Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A7 Purvabhaga Adhyaya 21])</ref></blockquote>Meaning : One should understand the Vishuvat (equinox) through the position of Surya and calculate time through Chandra (moon). When the day and night are of equal duration, it shall be Vishuvat. | + | Brahmandapurana defines Vishuva or Equinox as follows <blockquote>सूर्येण विषुवं विद्या त्कालं सोमेन लक्षयेत् ।। समा रात्रिरहश्चैव यदा तद्विषुवं भवेत् ।। २१.१४८ ।। (Brhm. Pura. Purv. 21.148)<ref>Brahmanda Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A7 Purvabhaga Adhyaya 21])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''sūryeṇa viṣuvaṁ vidyā tkālaṁ somena lakṣayet ।। samā rātrirahaścaiva yadā tadviṣuvaṁ bhavet ।। 21.148 ।।''</blockquote>Meaning : One should understand the Vishuvat (equinox) through the position of Surya and calculate time through Chandra (moon). When the day and night are of equal duration, it shall be Vishuvat. |
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| === सूर्यग्रहणम् || Solar Eclipse === | | === सूर्यग्रहणम् || Solar Eclipse === |
| Eclipses of Surya and Chandra are attributed to Rahu and Ketu, who according to Puranas, at the time of Samudra mathana try to consume Amruta that is obtained by churning of the milky ocean. | | Eclipses of Surya and Chandra are attributed to Rahu and Ketu, who according to Puranas, at the time of Samudra mathana try to consume Amruta that is obtained by churning of the milky ocean. |
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− | According to the Purana, eclipse is the phenomenon of Rahu and Ketu swallowing Surya and Chandra as and when opportunity presents itself for it. But, since the throat of Rahu is severed from the body, Surya and Candra thus swallowed get out through the throat. (Bhagavata Astama Skanda).<blockquote>देवलिङ्गप्रतिच्छन्नः स्वर्भानुर्देवसंसदि । प्रविष्टः सोममपिबत् चन्द्रार्काभ्यां च सूचितः ॥ २४ ॥ (Bhag. Pura. 8.9.24)<ref>Shrimad Bhagavata Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AE/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AF Skanda 8 Adhyaya 9])</ref></blockquote>Meaning : Disguising himself in the garb of celestials, Rahu entered stealthily in the row of gods (between Surya and Chandra) and drank Amruta, but was indicated (exposed with gestures) by Arka (Surya) and Chandra.<ref>Tagare, G. V. (1950) ''[https://archive.org/stream/BhagavataPuranaMotilalEnglish/Bhagavata%20Purana%20-%20Motilal%20-%20English%20-%20Parts%201%20-%205#page/n1059/mode/1up The Bhagavata Purana, Part 1]'' Delhi : Motilal Banasidass Pvt. Ltd. </ref> | + | According to the Purana, eclipse is the phenomenon of Rahu and Ketu swallowing Surya and Chandra as and when opportunity presents itself for it. But, since the throat of Rahu is severed from the body, Surya and Candra thus swallowed get out through the throat. (Bhagavata Astama Skanda).<blockquote>देवलिङ्गप्रतिच्छन्नः स्वर्भानुर्देवसंसदि । प्रविष्टः सोममपिबत् चन्द्रार्काभ्यां च सूचितः ॥ २४ ॥ (Bhag. Pura. 8.9.24)<ref>Shrimad Bhagavata Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AE/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AF Skanda 8 Adhyaya 9])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''devaliṅgapraticchannaḥ svarbhānurdevasaṁsadi । praviṣṭaḥ somamapibat candrārkābhyāṁ ca sūcitaḥ ॥ 24 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning : Disguising himself in the garb of celestials, Rahu entered stealthily in the row of gods (between Surya and Chandra) and drank Amruta, but was indicated (exposed with gestures) by Arka (Surya) and Chandra.<ref>Tagare, G. V. (1950) ''[https://archive.org/stream/BhagavataPuranaMotilalEnglish/Bhagavata%20Purana%20-%20Motilal%20-%20English%20-%20Parts%201%20-%205#page/n1059/mode/1up The Bhagavata Purana, Part 1]'' Delhi : Motilal Banasidass Pvt. Ltd. </ref> |
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| Just as Rahu was drinking Amruta, Sri Hari swiftly severed his head with sudarshana chakra, by which Rahu's head attained immortality and the headless trunk fell down dead. Rahu cherishing his enmity, assails Surya and Chandra on the full moon (Pournami) day and new moon (Amavasya) days. | | Just as Rahu was drinking Amruta, Sri Hari swiftly severed his head with sudarshana chakra, by which Rahu's head attained immortality and the headless trunk fell down dead. Rahu cherishing his enmity, assails Surya and Chandra on the full moon (Pournami) day and new moon (Amavasya) days. |
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| == Verses and Meanings == | | == Verses and Meanings == |
− | Surya is prominent as Mitra and Savitru in many Rig veda mantras as follows : 1.50. 1 to 13, 1.115. 1 to 6, 1.164.46 among many others. The following is the famous Rig veda soura suktam of 10th mandala is recited by many people across India. <blockquote>नमो मित्रस्य वरुणस्य चक्षसे महो देवाय तद रतंसपर्यत | दूरेद्र्शे देवजाताय केतवे दिवस पुत्रायसूर्याय शंसत || 1 ||</blockquote><blockquote>सा मा सत्योक्तिः परि पातु विश्वतो दयावा च यत्रततनन्नहानि च | विश्वमन्यन नि विशते यदेजतिविश्वाहापो विश्वाहोदेति सूर्यः || 2 ||</blockquote><blockquote>न ते अदेवः परदिवो नि वासते यदेतशेभिः पतरैरथर्यसि | पराचीनमन्यदनु वर्तते रज उदन्येनज्योतिषा यासि सूर्य || 3 ||</blockquote><blockquote>येन सूर्य जयोतिषा बाधसे तमो जगच्च विश्वमुदियर्षिभानुना | तेनास्मद विश्वामनिरामनाहुतिमपामीवामप दुष्वप्न्यं सुव || 4 ||</blockquote><blockquote>विश्वस्य हि परेषितो रक्षसि वरतमहेळयन्नुच्चरसिस्वधा अनु | यदद्य तवा सूर्योपब्रवामहै तं नो देवानु मंसीरत करतुम || 5 ||</blockquote><blockquote>तं नो दयावाप्र्थिवी तन न आप इन्द्रः शर्ण्वन्तु मरुतोहवं वचः | मा शूने भूम सूर्यस्य सन्द्र्शिभद्रं जीवन्तो जरणामशीमहि || 6 ||</blockquote><blockquote>विश्वाहा तवा सुमनसः सुचक्षसः परजावन्तो अनमीवानागसः | उद्यन्तं तवा मित्रमहो दिवे-दिवे जयोग जीवाःप्रति पश्येम सूर्य || 7 ||</blockquote><blockquote>महि जयोतिर्बिभ्रतं तवा विचक्षण भास्वन्तं चक्षुषे चक्षुषे मयः | आरोहन्तं बर्हतः पाजसस परि वयंजीवाः परति पश्येम सूर्य || 8 ||</blockquote><blockquote>यस्य ते विश्वा भुवनानि केतुना पर चेरते नि च विशन्तेक्तुभिः | अनागास्त्वेन हरिकेश सूर्याह्नाह्ना नोवस्यसा-वस्यसोदिहि || 9 ||</blockquote><blockquote>शं नो भव चक्षसा शं नो अह्ना शं भानुना शंहिमा शं घर्णेन | यथा शमध्वञ्छमसद दुरोणेतत सूर्य दरविणं धेहि चित्रम || 10 ||</blockquote><blockquote>अस्माकं देवा उभयाय जन्मने शर्म यछत दविपदेचतुष्पदे | अदत पिबदूर्जयमानमाशितं तदस्मेशं योररपो दधातन || 11 ||</blockquote><blockquote>यद वो देवाश्चक्र्म जिह्वया गुरु मनसो वा परयुतीदेवहेळनम | अरावा यो नो अभि दुछुनायते तस्मिन तदेनोवसवो नि धेतन || 12 || (Rig Veda 10.37.1 to 12)<ref>Surya Suktam in Rig Veda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhita-mandal-10-sukta-037/ Mandala 10])</ref></blockquote> | + | Surya is prominent as Mitra and Savitru in many Rig veda mantras as follows : 1.50. 1 to 13, 1.115. 1 to 6, 1.164.46 among many others. The following is the famous Rig veda soura suktam of 10th mandala is recited by many people across India. <blockquote>नमो मित्रस्य वरुणस्य चक्षसे महो देवाय तद रतंसपर्यत | दूरेद्र्शे देवजाताय केतवे दिवस पुत्रायसूर्याय शंसत || 1 ||</blockquote><blockquote>सा मा सत्योक्तिः परि पातु विश्वतो दयावा च यत्रततनन्नहानि च | विश्वमन्यन नि विशते यदेजतिविश्वाहापो विश्वाहोदेति सूर्यः || 2 ||</blockquote><blockquote>न ते अदेवः परदिवो नि वासते यदेतशेभिः पतरैरथर्यसि | पराचीनमन्यदनु वर्तते रज उदन्येनज्योतिषा यासि सूर्य || 3 ||</blockquote><blockquote>येन सूर्य जयोतिषा बाधसे तमो जगच्च विश्वमुदियर्षिभानुना | तेनास्मद विश्वामनिरामनाहुतिमपामीवामप दुष्वप्न्यं सुव || 4 ||</blockquote><blockquote>विश्वस्य हि परेषितो रक्षसि वरतमहेळयन्नुच्चरसिस्वधा अनु | यदद्य तवा सूर्योपब्रवामहै तं नो देवानु मंसीरत करतुम || 5 ||</blockquote><blockquote>तं नो दयावाप्र्थिवी तन न आप इन्द्रः शर्ण्वन्तु मरुतोहवं वचः | मा शूने भूम सूर्यस्य सन्द्र्शिभद्रं जीवन्तो जरणामशीमहि || 6 ||</blockquote><blockquote>विश्वाहा तवा सुमनसः सुचक्षसः परजावन्तो अनमीवानागसः | उद्यन्तं तवा मित्रमहो दिवे-दिवे जयोग जीवाःप्रति पश्येम सूर्य || 7 ||</blockquote><blockquote>महि जयोतिर्बिभ्रतं तवा विचक्षण भास्वन्तं चक्षुषे चक्षुषे मयः | आरोहन्तं बर्हतः पाजसस परि वयंजीवाः परति पश्येम सूर्य || 8 ||</blockquote><blockquote>यस्य ते विश्वा भुवनानि केतुना पर चेरते नि च विशन्तेक्तुभिः | अनागास्त्वेन हरिकेश सूर्याह्नाह्ना नोवस्यसा-वस्यसोदिहि || 9 ||</blockquote><blockquote>शं नो भव चक्षसा शं नो अह्ना शं भानुना शंहिमा शं घर्णेन | यथा शमध्वञ्छमसद दुरोणेतत सूर्य दरविणं धेहि चित्रम || 10 ||</blockquote><blockquote>अस्माकं देवा उभयाय जन्मने शर्म यछत दविपदेचतुष्पदे | अदत पिबदूर्जयमानमाशितं तदस्मेशं योररपो दधातन || 11 ||</blockquote><blockquote>यद वो देवाश्चक्र्म जिह्वया गुरु मनसो वा परयुतीदेवहेळनम | अरावा यो नो अभि दुछुनायते तस्मिन तदेनोवसवो नि धेतन || 12 || (Rig Veda 10.37.1 to 12)<ref>Surya Suktam in Rig Veda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhita-mandal-10-sukta-037/ Mandala 10])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''namo mitrasya varuṇasya cakṣase maho devāya tada rataṁsaparyata | dūredrśe devajātāya ketave divasa putrāyasūryāya śaṁsata || 1 ||''</blockquote><blockquote>''sā mā satyoktiḥ pari pātu viśvato dayāvā ca yatratatanannahāni ca | viśvamanyana ni viśate yadejativiśvāhāpo viśvāhodeti sūryaḥ || 2 ||''</blockquote><blockquote>''na te adevaḥ paradivo ni vāsate yadetaśebhiḥ patarairatharyasi | parācīnamanyadanu vartate raja udanyenajyotiṣā yāsi sūrya || 3 ||''</blockquote><blockquote>''yena sūrya jayotiṣā bādhase tamo jagacca viśvamudiyarṣibhānunā | tenāsmada viśvāmanirāmanāhutimapāmīvāmapa duṣvapnyaṁ suva || 4 ||''</blockquote><blockquote>''viśvasya hi pareṣito rakṣasi varatamaheḻayannuccarasisvadhā anu | yadadya tavā sūryopabravāmahai taṁ no devānu maṁsīrata karatuma || 5 ||''</blockquote><blockquote>''taṁ no dayāvāprthivī tana na āpa indraḥ śarṇvantu marutohavaṁ vacaḥ | mā śūne bhūma sūryasya sandrśibhadraṁ jīvanto jaraṇāmaśīmahi || 6 ||''</blockquote><blockquote>''viśvāhā tavā sumanasaḥ sucakṣasaḥ parajāvanto anamīvānāgasaḥ | udyantaṁ tavā mitramaho dive-dive jayoga jīvāḥprati paśyema sūrya || 7 ||''</blockquote><blockquote>''mahi jayotirbibhrataṁ tavā vicakṣaṇa bhāsvantaṁ cakṣuṣe cakṣuṣe mayaḥ | ārohantaṁ barhataḥ pājasasa pari vayaṁjīvāḥ parati paśyema sūrya || 8 ||''</blockquote><blockquote>''yasya te viśvā bhuvanāni ketunā para cerate ni ca viśantektubhiḥ | anāgāstvena harikeśa sūryāhnāhnā novasyasā-vasyasodihi || 9 ||''</blockquote><blockquote>''śaṁ no bhava cakṣasā śaṁ no ahnā śaṁ bhānunā śaṁhimā śaṁ gharṇena | yathā śamadhvañchamasada duroṇetata sūrya daraviṇaṁ dhehi citrama || 10 ||''</blockquote><blockquote>''asmākaṁ devā ubhayāya janmane śarma yachata davipadecatuṣpade | adata pibadūrjayamānamāśitaṁ tadasmeśaṁ yorarapo dadhātana || 11 ||''</blockquote><blockquote>''yada vo devāścakrma jihvayā guru manaso vā parayutīdevaheḻanama | arāvā yo no abhi duchunāyate tasmina tadenovasavo ni dhetana || 12 || (Rig Veda 10.37.1 to 12)''</blockquote> |
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| == References == | | == References == |
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| [[Category:Devatas]] | | [[Category:Devatas]] |