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== सूर्यस्य अयनम् || Surya's Path ==

== सूर्यस्य अयनम् || Surya's Path ==

Many Puranas vividly describe the relationship between Surya, the planetary bodies, constellations and kalachakra or cycles of time. Bhavishya Purana, Vayupurana, Matsya Purana and Garuda purana.  

Many Puranas vividly describe the relationship between Surya, the planetary bodies, constellations and kalachakra or cycles of time namely, Brahmanda Purana, Kurma Purana, Bhavishya Purana, Vayupurana, Matsya Purana and Garuda purana.  

Surya exists within the universe and is called Martanda as he is said to have originated from the dead (mrta) egg (anda). Surya divides the sky, heaven, hell, the earth, east, west, north, south etc. from one another.<ref name=":1" />     

Surya exists within the universe and is called Martanda as he is said to have originated from the dead (mrta) egg (anda). Surya divides the sky, heaven, hell, the earth, east, west, north, south etc. from one another.<ref name=":1" />     

=== Water Cycle ===

=== Water Cycle ===

<blockquote>ध्रुवेणाधिष्टितश्चैव सूर्योऽपो गृह्य वर्षति ।। तदेष दीप्त किरणः स कालग्निर्दिवाकरः ।। २२.१२ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>परिवर्त्तक्रमाद्विप्रा भाभिरालोकयन् दिशः ।। सूर्यः किरणजालेन वायुयुक्तेन सर्वशः ।। २२.१३ ।। </blockquote><blockquote>जगतो जलमादत्ते कृत्स्नस्य द्विजसत्तमाः ।। आदित्यपीतं सकलं सोमः संक्रमते जलम् ।। २२.१४ ।।</blockquote>Meaning : Presided over by Dhruva, surya (sun) takes up water and showers it. This sun whose rays are ablaze, is the fire of the destruction of the universe. In the course of his revolution, Oh Brahmanas, he illuminates the दिशः quarters. With the mass of his rays and accompanied by the wind, the sun takes away the water of the entire world, Oh Brahmanas. The moon transmits the entire water drunk by the sun. <ref>Tagare, G. V. (2000 Reprint) [https://archive.org/stream/BrahmandaPurana/BrahmandaPuI#page/n291/mode/2up The Brahmanda Purana, Part 1.] Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd. (Page No 292) </ref>

<blockquote>ध्रुवेणाधिष्टितश्चैव सूर्योऽपो गृह्य वर्षति ।। तदेष दीप्त किरणः स कालग्निर्दिवाकरः ।। २२.१२ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>परिवर्त्तक्रमाद्विप्रा भाभिरालोकयन् दिशः ।। सूर्यः किरणजालेन वायुयुक्तेन सर्वशः ।। २२.१३ ।। </blockquote><blockquote>जगतो जलमादत्ते कृत्स्नस्य द्विजसत्तमाः ।। आदित्यपीतं सकलं सोमः संक्रमते जलम् ।। २२.१४ ।।</blockquote>Meaning : Presided over by Dhruva, surya (sun) takes up water and showers it. This sun whose rays are ablaze, is the fire of the destruction of the universe. In the course of his revolution, Oh Brahmanas, he illuminates the दिशः quarters. With the mass of his rays and accompanied by the wind, the sun takes away the water of the entire world, Oh Brahmanas. The moon transmits the entire water drunk by the sun. <ref>Tagare, G. V. (2000 Reprint) [https://archive.org/stream/BrahmandaPurana/BrahmandaPuI#page/n291/mode/2up The Brahmanda Purana, Part 1.] Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd. (Page No 292) </ref>

=== सूर्यरथः || Surya's Chariot ===

=== सूर्यरथः || Surya's Chariot ===

Brahmapurana (Purvabhaga, Adhyaya 22) gives a complete description of Surya's chariot.<blockquote>संस्थितेनैकचक्रेण पंचारेण त्रिनाभिना ।। हिरण्मयेन भगवांस्तथैव हरिदर्वणा ।। २२.६१ ।। <ref name=":3" /></blockquote>Meaning : Surya's proceeds by means of a golden chariot that has a single wheel with five spokes and three nabhis and a single rim with six phases. Its horses are green. The whole chariot, embellished with gold, shines brightly.<ref name=":4">Tagare, G. V. (2000 Reprint) [https://archive.org/stream/BrahmandaPurana/BrahmandaPuI#page/n297/mode/2up The Brahmanda Purana, Part 1.] Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd. (Page No 299)</ref>  <blockquote>स तस्य ब्रह्मणा सृष्टो रथो ह्यर्थवशेन तु ।। असंगः कांचनो दिव्यो युक्तः पवनगैर्हयैः ।। २२.६४ ।।</blockquote>Meaning : His chariot is divine and golden. It is drawn with horses swift as the wind. It has no impediments anywhere. It was for a specific purpose that it was created by Brahma.<ref name=":4" />   

 

 

Brahmapurana (Purvabhaga, Adhyaya 22) also gives a complete description of Surya's chariot.<blockquote>संस्थितेनैकचक्रेण पंचारेण त्रिनाभिना ।। हिरण्मयेन भगवांस्तथैव हरिदर्वणा ।। २२.६१ ।। <ref name=":3" /></blockquote>Meaning : Surya's proceeds by means of a golden chariot that has a single wheel with five spokes and three nabhis and a single rim with six phases. Its horses are green. The whole chariot, embellished with gold, shines brightly.<ref name=":4">Tagare, G. V. (2000 Reprint) [https://archive.org/stream/BrahmandaPurana/BrahmandaPuI#page/n297/mode/2up The Brahmanda Purana, Part 1.] Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd. (Page No from 299)</ref>  <blockquote>स तस्य ब्रह्मणा सृष्टो रथो ह्यर्थवशेन तु ।। असंगः कांचनो दिव्यो युक्तः पवनगैर्हयैः ।। २२.६४ ।।</blockquote>Meaning : His chariot is divine and golden. It is drawn with horses swift as the wind. It has no impediments anywhere. It was for a specific purpose that it was created by Brahma.<ref name=":4" />   

It is by this means that Surya traverses the skies. The Vedic meters in the form of seven horses draw the chariot by the left. The wheel is fixed to the Axis and the axis is laid on Dhruva. The extremities of the harness and the axis of the chariot that move in circles in the sky are caught hold of by Dhruva. Both the rein-chords whirl on the axis and they follow Dhruva who too revolves. During Uttarayana the rein-chords become reduced (in lenght) as they move in circles. During the Dakshinayana they increase in size.   

It is by this means that Surya traverses the skies. The Vedic meters in the form of seven horses draw the chariot by the left. The wheel is fixed to the Axis and the axis is laid on Dhruva. The extremities of the harness and the axis of the chariot that move in circles in the sky are caught hold of by Dhruva. Both the rein-chords whirl on the axis and they follow Dhruva who too revolves. During Uttarayana the rein-chords become reduced (in lenght) as they move in circles. During the Dakshinayana they increase in size.   

==== Esoteric Significance<ref name=":4" /> ====

==== Valakhilyas ====

Brahmapurana (Purvabhaga, Adhyaya 23) further describes the concept of Surya's chariot and his role among the heavenly bodies.<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).   

<blockquote>आवृत्ता वालखिल्यैस्ते भ्रमंते रात्र्यहानि तु ।। वचोभिरग्र्यैर्ग्रथितैः स्तूयमानो महर्षिभिः ।। २३.४९ ।। (Brhm. Pura. Purva. 23.49)</blockquote>Meaning : Surrounded by Valakhilyas, they wander both at night and day. Surya is praised by words of highest order composed by great rishis themselves.( Brahmanda Purana, Page 305 of Reference <ref name=":4" />).<blockquote>वालखिल्या नयन्त्यस्तं परिवार्योदयाद् रविम् ।४२.२० (Kurm. Pura. Purva. 42.20)<ref name=":5">Kurma Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%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%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%BD%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Purvabhaga Adhyaya 42])</ref></blockquote>Meaning : The Valakhilyas (thum-sized rishis) surround the rising sun and go along with him till setting time.(Kurma Purana, Page 329 of Reference <ref>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>)

 

==== Surya's Companions ====

 

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).   

* 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.   

* This heptad signifies the mutual difference in the different "wavelengths" of the seven colours. This may be called as the Puranic VIBGYOR.   

* This heptad signifies the mutual difference in the different "wavelengths" of the seven colours. This may be called as the Puranic VIBGYOR.   

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

!

!

!Madhu and Madhava

!Madhu and Madhava (Chaitra and Vaisakha)

!Suchi and Sukra

!Suchi and Sukra (Jyesta and Ashada)

!Nabhas and Nabhasya

!Nabhas and Nabhasya (Sravana and Bhadrapada)

!Asvina and Kartika

!Asvina and Kartika

!Hemanta

!Margasira and Pushya

!Tapas and Tapasya

!Tapas and Tapasya   (Magha and Phalguna)

|-

|-

!Devatas

!Devatas or Adityas

|Dhatru and Aryaman

|Dhatru and Aryaman

|Mitra and Varuna

|Mitra and Varuna

|Indra and Vivasvin

|Sakra and Vivasvin

|Parjanya and Pusa

|Parjanya and Pusa

|Arhasha and Bhaga

|Arhasha (Amshu) and Bhaga

|Tvastr and Vishnu

|Tvastr and Vishnu

|-

|-

|Bharadhvaja and Gautama

|Bharadhvaja and Gautama

|Kashyapa and Kratu

|Kashyapa and Kratu

|Jamadajnya and Visvamitra

|Jamadagni and Visvamitra

|-

|-

!Gandharvas

!Gandharvas

|Haha and Huhu

|Haha and Huhu

|Vishvavasu and Ugrasena

|Vishvavasu and Ugrasena

|Pravasu and Suruchi

|Pravasu<ref name=":4" /> and Suruchi

|Chitrasena and Urnayu

|Chitrasena and Urnayu

|Dhrtarastra and Suryavarchas  

|Dhrtarastra and Suryavarchas  

!Yakshas

!Yakshas

|Rathakrit and Rathaujas

|Rathakrit and Rathaujas

|Rathasvana and Rathachitra

|Subahu<ref name=":6" /> and Rathachitra

|Sveta and Aruna

|Rathasvana<ref name=":6" /> and Varuna

|Syenajit and Susena

|Senajit and Susena

|Tarksha and Aristanemi

|Tarkshya and Aristanemi

|Rtajit and Satyajit

|Krtajit and Satyajit

|-

|-

!Apsaras

!Apsaras

|Susthala and Punjikasthala

|Susthala<ref name=":4" /> and Punjikasthala

|Sahajanya and Menaka

|Sahajanya and Menaka

|Pramlocha and Anumlocha

|Pramlocha and Anumlocha

|Tilottama and Rambha

|Tilottama and Rambha

|-

|-

!Serpents

!Serpents<ref name=":6" />

|Airavata, Vasuki, Karsha, Bhima

|Vasuki and Kankanila

|Takshaka and Rambhaka

|Takshaka and Sarvapungava

|Elapatra and Sankhapala

|Elapatra and Sankhapala

|Airavata and Dhananjaya

|Airavata and Dhananjaya

|Sarpa and Vyaghra

|Sarpa and Vyaghra

|Apas and Vata

|Apas and Vata

|Vidyutsphurja and Satayu

|Vidyutsphurja and Satayu<ref name=":4" />

|Brahmapeta and Yajnapeta

|Brahmopeta and Yajnopeta

|}   

|}   

=== सूर्यग्रहणम् || Solar Eclipse ===

=== सूर्यग्रहणम् || Solar Eclipse ===

Eclipses of Surya and Chandra are attributed to Rahu and Ketu. 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).  

Eclipses of Surya and Chandra are attributed to Rahu and Ketu according to Puranas. 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).  

The famous Konark Temple, though the sanctum sanctorium is closed for many years now, still holds the secrets of time calculations of past ages.   

The famous Konark Temple, though the sanctum sanctorium is closed for many years now, still holds the secrets of time calculations of past ages.   

== Verses and Meanings ==

== Verses and Meanings ==

Surya is a prominent as Mitra and Savitru in many Rig veda mantras and the Surya or saura sukas in Rig veda are 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 which 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 10.037.1 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 a prominent as Mitra and Savitru in many Rig veda mantras and the Surya or saura sukas in Rig veda are 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 which 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 10.037.1 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>

== References ==

== References ==