Changes

* '''कर्मप्रवृत्तकः ||''' '''Karma Pravrittaka''' : He inspires all the living beings into performing their duties an activities of daily life.  

* '''कर्मप्रवृत्तकः ||''' '''Karma Pravrittaka''' : He inspires all the living beings into performing their duties an activities of daily life.  

* '''आरोग्यप्रदाता || Arogya Pradata''' : 'Aarogyam bhaskaraadichhet' as given in the texts imparts great significance to Surya as the bestower of health to mankind.   

* '''आरोग्यप्रदाता || Arogya Pradata''' : 'Aarogyam bhaskaraadichhet' as given in the texts imparts great significance to Surya as the bestower of health to mankind.   

* '''आदित्यस्वरूपः || Dwadasha Adityas''' : The dvadasha (12) Adityas (sons of [[Aditi and Diti|Aditi]] or the Devamata) are different forms of Surya having different roles and personifications of natural phenomena.   

* '''आदित्यस्वरूपः || Dwadasha Adityas''' : The dvadasha (12) Adityas (sons of Aditi or the Devamata) are different forms of Surya having different roles and personifications of natural phenomena.   

* '''नवग्रहाधिपतिः || Navagraha Adhipati''' : Surya receives a prominent position among devatas and he is the first among the Navagrahas. Ravi or Surya is the adhipati (leader) of the navagrahas and is associated with the precious stone 'ruby'.   

* '''नवग्रहाधिपतिः || Navagraha Adhipati''' : Surya receives a prominent position among devatas and he is the first among the Navagrahas. Ravi or Surya is the adhipati (leader) of the navagrahas and is associated with the precious stone 'ruby'.   

* '''पञ्चलोकपालकः || Panchaloka Palaka''' : Ganapati, Surya, Vishnu, Durga/Devi, and Shiva form the panchalokapalakas who are the deities worshiped in the altars of householders according to some prominent traditions (panchayatana puja) of Sanatana Dharma.  

* '''पञ्चलोकपालकः || Panchaloka Palaka''' : Ganapati, Surya, Vishnu, Durga/Devi, and Shiva form the panchalokapalakas who are the deities worshiped in the altars of householders according to some prominent traditions (panchayatana puja) of Sanatana Dharma.  

* '''वातावरणांशाः || Climatic aspects''' :  सूर्यरश्मयः ||Surya rashmi  characteristic seven rays of the Suryarashmi (sun rays) play an  important role in sustaining life forms.(Kurma Purana, Purvabhaga, Adhyaya 43)<ref name=":7">Kurmapurana ([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%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%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 43])</ref> Brahmanda Purana, Matsya and Vayu Purana give deep insights about the role of Surya in causing days and nights, seasons, solistices and equinoxes, the heat energy, water cycle and rainfall, thus maintaining life on earth and regulating the heavenly bodies.

* '''वातावरणांशाः || Climatic aspects''' :  सूर्यरश्मयः ||Surya rashmi  characteristic seven rays of the Suryarashmi (sun rays) play an  important role in sustaining life forms.(Kurma Purana, Purvabhaga, Adhyaya 43)<ref name=":7">Kurmapurana ([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%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%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 43])</ref> Brahmanda Purana, Matsya and Vayu Purana give deep insights about the role of Surya in causing days and nights, seasons, solistices and equinoxes, the heat energy, water cycle and rainfall, thus maintaining life on earth and regulating the heavenly bodies.

==    व्युत्पत्तिः|| Etymology  ==

==    व्युत्पत्तिः|| Etymology  ==

'''[[Amarakosha]]''' defines the following about Surya in व्योमादिवर्ग (Prathama kanda Slokas 29 - 32, Page No 29 of Reference <ref>[http://www.sanskritebooks.org/2009/07/amara-kosa-the-sanskrit-thesaurus-with-notes-index/ Amarakosha]</ref>)  <blockquote>सूरसुर्यार्यमादित्यद्वादशात्मदिवाकराः । भास्कराहस्करब्रध्नप्रभाकरदिवाकराः || (Amara 1. व्योमा. 29)</blockquote><blockquote>भास्वद्विस्वत्सप्ताश्वहरिदश्वोष्णरश्मयः । विकर्तनार्कमार्तण्डमिहिरारुणपूषणः || (Amara 1. व्योमा. 30)</blockquote><blockquote>द्युमणिस्तरणिर्मित्रस्चित्रभानुर्विरोचनः । विभावसुर्ग्रहपतिस्त्विषांपतिरहर्पतिः || (Amara 1. व्योमा. 31)</blockquote><blockquote>भानुर्हंसः सहस्रांशुस्तपनः सविता रविः । माठरः पिङ्लो दण्डश्चण्डांशोः पारिपार्श्विकाः || (Amara 1. व्योमा. 32)</blockquote>Synonyms for Surya include Soora, Surya, Yama, Aditya, Dwadashatma, Divakara, Bhaskara, Ahaskara, Martanda, Aruna, Pushana, Tarani, Mitra, Chitrabhanu, Tapana and many others as given above.   

'''Amarakosha''' defines the following about Surya in व्योमादिवर्ग (Prathama kanda Slokas 29 - 32, Page No 29 of Reference <ref>[http://www.sanskritebooks.org/2009/07/amara-kosa-the-sanskrit-thesaurus-with-notes-index/ Amarakosha]</ref>)  <blockquote>सूरसुर्यार्यमादित्यद्वादशात्मदिवाकराः । भास्कराहस्करब्रध्नप्रभाकरदिवाकराः || (Amara 1. व्योमा. 29)</blockquote><blockquote>भास्वद्विस्वत्सप्ताश्वहरिदश्वोष्णरश्मयः । विकर्तनार्कमार्तण्डमिहिरारुणपूषणः || (Amara 1. व्योमा. 30)</blockquote><blockquote>द्युमणिस्तरणिर्मित्रस्चित्रभानुर्विरोचनः । विभावसुर्ग्रहपतिस्त्विषांपतिरहर्पतिः || (Amara 1. व्योमा. 31)</blockquote><blockquote>भानुर्हंसः सहस्रांशुस्तपनः सविता रविः । माठरः पिङ्लो दण्डश्चण्डांशोः पारिपार्श्विकाः || (Amara 1. व्योमा. 32)</blockquote>Synonyms for Surya include Soora, Surya, Yama, Aditya, Dwadashatma, Divakara, Bhaskara, Ahaskara, Martanda, Aruna, Pushana, Tarani, Mitra, Chitrabhanu, Tapana and many others as given above.   

'''Niruka''' by Yaskacharya describes Surya as  <blockquote>स्वीर्यतेः वा । सुवतेः वा । सूर्यः सर्तेः वा । (Nirukta 12.14)<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Meaning : Surya is One who travels, one who creates and one who inspires.   

'''Niruka''' by Yaskacharya describes Surya as  <blockquote>स्वीर्यतेः वा । सुवतेः वा । सूर्यः सर्तेः वा । (Nirukta 12.14)<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Meaning : Surya is One who travels, one who creates and one who inspires.   

==== Dvadasha Adityas ====

==== Dvadasha Adityas ====

It is said that the Surya was born to Kasyapa by his wife Aditi. Several sons were born to Kashyapa by Aditi, the daughter of Daksa. They are known by the names Adityas, Vasus, Rudras and so on. Of these, Adityas (son of Aditi)  are twelve in number. There is a difference of opinion as to who these [[Dwadasa Adityas|Dvadasa Adityas]] (12 Adityas) are. Very often these names are used as synonyms of Surya.<ref name=":1" />  

It is said that the Surya was born to Kasyapa by his wife Aditi. Several sons were born to Kashyapa by Aditi, the daughter of Daksa. They are known by the names Adityas, Vasus, Rudras and so on. Of these, Adityas (son of Aditi)  are twelve in number. There is a difference of opinion as to who these Dvadasa Adityas (12 Adityas) are. Very often these names are used as synonyms of Surya.<ref name=":1" />  

==== Family ====

==== Family ====

== Surya in Vedic Literature ==

== Surya in Vedic Literature ==

In ancient times, Surya was worshiped under multiple names and forms in the vedic tradition. Surya's worship was an integral part of Nature worship. Savitru, Pusha, Bhaga, Vivasvat, Mitra and Vishnu are a few important forms of Surya, each personifying to a greater or lesser extent the different attributes of sun (chapters 2 and 3 in Reference <ref>Sarkar, Bijor Kumar (2004) Ph. D. Thesis: ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/149355 Sun Worship and Sun-Images in Early Bengal]'' Dargeeling : University of North Bengal. </ref>).  

In ancient times, Surya was worshiped under multiple names and forms in the vedic tradition. Surya's worship was an integral part of Nature worship. Savitru, Pusha, Bhaga, Vivasvat, Mitra and Vishnu are a few important forms of Surya, each personifying to a greater or lesser extent the different attributes of sun (chapters 2 and 3 in Reference <ref>Sarkar, Bijor Kumar (2004) Ph. D. Thesis: ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/149355 Sun Worship and Sun-Images in Early Bengal]'' Dargeeling : University of North Bengal. </ref>).  

* Surya represents primarily the red round orb of sun, described in Rigveda as moving in a chariot drawn by horses. HIs healing powers are primarily due to the qualities of the rays.

* Surya represents primarily the red round orb of sun, described in Rigveda as moving in a chariot drawn by horses. His healing powers are primarily due to the qualities of the rays.

* Savitr represents the सविता सर्वस्य प्रसविता । stimulator of everything (Nirukta 10.31)<ref>Nirukta ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 10])</ref> Connected intimately with yajnas, he stimulates thoughts (Rig. Veda. 1.22.7 and 3.62.10) and represents wisdom and intelligence (Rig. Veda. 3.62.12 and 5.81.1-2 and 2.38.10). The famous Savitru mantra or Gayatri mantra is chanted to stimulate the mind.

* Savitr represents the सविता सर्वस्य प्रसविता । stimulator of everything (Nirukta 10.31)<ref>Nirukta ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 10])</ref> Connected intimately with yajnas, he stimulates thoughts (Rig. Veda. 1.22.7 and 3.62.10) and represents wisdom and intelligence (Rig. Veda. 3.62.12 and 5.81.1-2 and 2.38.10). The famous Savitru mantra or Gayatri mantra is chanted to stimulate the mind.

* Pusan signifies benevolent power of Surya. He is connected with the prosperity of cattle (Rig. Veda. 6.54.5 and 6.53.9), guardian of pathways and roads. (Rig. Veda. 6.53.1) (Tait. Samh. 1.1.14.1)

* Pusan signifies benevolent power of Surya. He is connected with the prosperity of cattle (Rig. Veda. 6.54.5 and 6.53.9), guardian of pathways and roads. (Rig. Veda. 6.53.1) (Tait. Samh. 1.1.14.1)

=== जलपरिवर्त्तनक्रमम् || Water Cycle ===

=== जलपरिवर्त्तनक्रमम् || 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>

The importance of Surya rashmi or sun's rays and their role in nourishing the planets is portrayed in this Purana.<blockquote>ह्रियन्हरिस्तैर्हरिभिस्तुरंगमैर्हरत्यथापः किरणैर्हरिद्भिः ।। विसर्गकाले विसृजंश्च ताः पुनर्बिभर्त्ति शश्वत्सविता चराचरम् ।। २३.४२ ।।</blockquote>Meaning: Surya is led by green horses. At that time, he removes (evaporates) water by means of his green rays. By discharging and releasing water, he sustains the animate and inanimate beings.<ref name=":4" />

The importance of Surya rashmi or sun's rays and their role in nourishing the planets is portrayed in this Purana.<blockquote>ह्रियन्हरिस्तैर्हरिभिस्तुरंगमैर्हरत्यथापः किरणैर्हरिद्भिः ।। विसर्गकाले विसृजंश्च ताः पुनर्बिभर्त्ति शश्वत्सविता चराचरम् ।। २३.४२ ।।</blockquote>Meaning: Surya is led by green horses. At that time, he removes (evaporates) water by means of his green rays. By discharging and releasing water, he sustains the animate and inanimate beings.<ref name=":4" />