Vedic and Puranic features of Sun God: A Comparative Study
[Vedic Mythological innovations during the Puranic Phase]
Prof.Shashi TiwariSanskrit Department, University of Delhi;
General Secretary, WAVES India, New Delhi WAVES Tenth International
Conference July 13-15, 2012 Center for Indic Studies, UMass
Dartmouth
IntroductionThe distinction between Vedic and Puranic Mythology
can be judged on the basis of Study of SUN GOD
The study is to find out the original nature of the deity, and
its development in the religious life of ancient India.
Importance of Sun God Creator of day and night Source of light
and heat Producer of food and vegetation Due to respect towards Him
Sun-worship prevailed in ancient cultures:Egyptian, Mesopotamian,
Greek, Roman, Iranian, Mexican and Indian & Indus Valley
civilization
Vedic Sun God Sun and its various forms: Surya, Savitr, Pusan,
Bhaga, Mitra, Varuna, Visnu, Aryaman, Vivasvat, Amsa, and Aditya
These names are basically the epithets which denote his functions,
attributes and qualities.
In the Rgveda five solar deities Number extended in Post-Rgvedic
texts.
Solar Deities in Rig-Veda1. Surya represents the visible
luminous orb, connected with light, heat and movement. 2. Savitr as
stimulator denotes inspiring power of Sun. 3. Visnu represents
movement, wide-stepping and motion of Sun. 4. Pusan is recognized
as nourishing power of Sun who bestows prosperity. 5. Mitra invoked
mostly with Varuna and is giver of happiness. The Rgveda talks
about seven Adityas (RV 10.72.9) and adds Martanda as the eighth
Aditya (RV10.72.8).
Sun -god in Vedic texts Nirukta =greatest of heaven Diva
Brahmanas and Sutras = grant blessings to performers Isopanisad=
symbol of Brahman Vedic conception of Surya > several
dimensions> culture, mythology, ritual, philosophy
Puranic Approach Great god Surya remained constantly on the same
position from vedas to Puranas Features of Surya are altered,
developed, and glorified by the authors of Puranas DUE TO Broader
approach towards Vedic symbolism Unique style of narration Main
subject matter of Puranas -5 sargashca..
Puranic Literature on SuryaPuranas - a very vast literature
Written between 2nd- 3rd century AD to 13th14th century AD. Some of
early and some of later period. five major cults for the worship of
Visnu, Siva, Sakti, Surya, and Ganesa. Some independent Puranas
were written on these deities .
Facades of Puranic Sun-worship 1. Description of Suryas physical
form, chariot, movement etc. - Visnu Purana. , Markandeya Purana 2
.Assimilation of twelve Adityas with twelve months 3.Methods -
enchanting (japa), offering water (arghya), evening prayer
(Sandhyopasana), Vrata, Tirtha and Bhakti,temples (mandira), idols
(pratima),
Puranic Surya References The Samba, Bhavisya, Varaha, Skanda,
etc. are later Puranas Samba Upapurana, famous text of
Sun-cultSamba, son of Sri Krsna, for the cure of his skin disease.
Bhavisyottara Purana talks about the Saura vrata of Martandeya
Purana, Aditaya Purana , Upapurana referred by Allbaruni. The lost
solar Puranas- Suryapurana and Sauryapurana( Hazra 1963: 491).
Puranic Surya Srotas -Stavaraja of Brahmapurana
-Astottarasatanamastotra of Brahmapurana -Suryamahamantra of
Padmapurana -Cintamadistotra of Padmapurana -Suryanamastotra of
Bhavisyapurana -Suryakavaca of Brahmavaivartapurana -Jayadityastaka
of Skandapurana -Suryastottarasatanamastotra of Brhaddharmapurana
-Adityahrdayastotra of Bhavisyottarapurana -Suryadvadasanamastota
of Bhavisyottarapurana Number of legends about family, light, form,
associates
Family of Vedic Sun-god Small in the Rgveda: Dyaus father, Aditi
mother, Vayu and Agni brothers ,Usa wife/ female consort Perhaps
seven colours of rays as seven sons Vivasvan, the sun, has Saranyu
as wife Solar deity Pusan is married to Surya Nirukta mentions
Surya as wife of Surya Surya Suryasya patni ( Nirukta 12.7.2)
Family of Puranic Sun-godFamily extended Kasyapa father(
Kasyapeya). ; Aditi prays Sun to be her son -story of Brahmanda
Purana( Aditya) Two wives- Sanjna( Saranyu, Suranu, and Usa) and
Chaya
Nine children - Manu, Yama, Yami, Savarni, Sanaiscara, Tapati,
Asvinau( two Asvin-s), and Revanta-- Bhavisya Purana 1.79.63; Samba
Purana 11.51-52 ; The names of the children and their mothers
differ. Eighteen associates (Anucara) Visvakarma as father- in- law
in Bhavisya Purana
Physical Form of Sun-god -1Association with the luminary never
being lost sight1. Relation with Eye- Eye of Mitra and Varuna- RV
Puranas- Sahsara-Netra and Trinetra for being all-seeing
2. Colour- Savitr Hiranmaya .of his golden colour Puranas-
illustrate six colours of Surya [brown (kapila) in spring, golden(
kancana) in summer, white(sweta) in rainy season, yellow(pandu) in
autumn, copper(tamra) in Hemanta and red (lohita) in winter]
Physical Form of Sun-god -23.PlanetPlanet form not described in
the Vedas, but in Puranas 4. Association with flowersLotus- Padma
in day -blossom and kumuda in night -wither/ fade indicated in some
Puranas.( Skt. poetry)
Rays of Sun-god Surya shines for world, god and men (RV 1.50.5 ,
7.63.1) His rays throw off the darkness as a skin into the waters
(RV 4.13.4) Seven horses of Surya may be seven rays or seven
colours of the ray: Saptacakram sapta vahantyasvah / RV 1.164.2, 3;
AV 20.47.20 Puranas: 1000 rays: Sahasrakiranadyuti, Sahasransu,
Sahasrarasmi, Sahasrabhanu etc. Several times thousand rays are
divided too.
Light and Heat of Sun- godBright form of Surya Deva praised in
the Rgveda and Puranas In Rgvedanot a maleficent, but a beneficent
power Puranas (descriptions/ legends) talk of unbearable heat. The
paring of the luster/ body done by Visvakarma. Even then, He
remains most glittery / bright.
Chariot (Ratha) of Sun-godRgveda - Suryas chariot has single
wheel; Savitrs chariot of golden colour. Puranas - more emphasis on
the wheel of chariot. Whole year (samvatsara) as wheel
(Surya-chakra). Twelve groups of seven members for twelve months -
Devata, Muni, Gandharva, Apsara, Gramani, Sarpa and Raksasa . Seven
members sit on the ratha in every month, with one Aditya (radiant
sun ).
Horses and Charioteer of Sun-god Rgveda- Car drawn by one steed
called etasa By indefinite number of steeds/ seven horses called
haritah Seven colours of rays (symbolism). Puranas - Saptasva,
Saptasapti, and Saptasvahana. Named as Jaya, Vijaya, Jitaprana,
Jitasrama, Manojava and Jitakrodha. No clear declaration of any
charioteer in Vedas. Puranas: twelve Gramini (drivers) Aruna as a
charioteer (sarathi) of Surya- Samba Pu. 53.3
Food of Sun-godThe imagination or association of certain
belongings is very natural in the personification of any deity.
Suryas properties are less talked about. Savitr god is described
loving his food of purodasa ; Pusan likes his distinctive food of
karambha. Puranas are silent about food.
Armament and Seat of Sun-god In Rgveda-Savitr wears golden
shield (kavaca) and In Yajurveda - golden armament, (abhri) . Pusan
uses arrow (ankusa), wheel (chakra) and sharp weapon (kosa) Puranas
illustrate weapons of Surya exhaustively. He carries sankha, cakra,
padma and sakti in his four hands Flower of lotus (kamala) is his
seat in Puranas, ( not in Vedas)
Destroyer of Diseases - Skin In the Puranas admired for long
life/ good health. - Samba, son of Krsna, worshipped Surya for
leprosy ( Samba P.). Built a Sun-temple at river Candrabhaga, and
brought Maga Brahmanas from Sakadvipa to act as priests. Legend
repeated in many Puranas -Treatment of leprosy of King Nanda-
Skanda Purana -Wings of Garuda were reborn -Bhavisya Purana -Poet
Mayurs Suryasataka to get cured from leprosy
Destroyer of Diseases -Heart and Eyes -For the treatment of
heart problem (Hridrogam) & Jaundice (Harimanam) Devotee
requests to transfer the yellowness on the body of the parrots, to
the starlings or to the Haridrava: Sukesu me harimanam ropanakasu
dadhmasi /(RV 1.50.12 ) -For the cure of Gandamala, Ramayani, and
Asutika ( AV). - Aksyupanisad and Caksusopanisad for diseases of
eyes. This aspect developed on medical and scientific
background.
Divine Form of Sun-god -Many attributes assigned to Surya in
Rgveda : Most visible, brilliant, helpful, cause of rain etc. -In
Puranas his Godly form is depicted: Beautiful face and body, well
decorated with ornaments and earrings of crocodile shape, having
illustrious crown , and seating on the lotus seat. In the Gupta
period and afterwards Sun-temples were erected, and Sun-images were
carved with associates, and belongings. -Matsya Purana describes
iconographical features of the Sungod.
Dvadasatma Surya Surya stotras of the Puranas describe Suryas
twelve forms- Dvadasatma. Aditya-names are not always the same in
the Puranas. The twelve names given in Brahma and Bhavisya Puranas
are - Indra, Visnu, Dhata, Bhaga, Parjanya, Pusan, Mitra, Varuna,
Tvasta, Aryaman, Vivasvan, and Amsumana . They are twelve forms of
Sun-god responsible for the twelve months. RV describes seven or
eight Adityas only.
Sarvatma Surya In the Surya stotras Surya is extensively
described the Supreme Being -Sarvatma. Rgveda acclaims Surya as
Atman of all moveable and immovable world Surya atma
jagatastasthusasca Isonanisad states that the entrance of Brahman
is hidden by the golden orb of sun: Puranas spread out this idea
and call Him vedamaya, devamaya, yajnamaya, sarvamaya, and
Visvatma. The Samba Purana identifies. Surya with Brahma, Visnu and
Mahesa Purana brings out clearly the concept of the Sun-god as the
Supreme deity.
Conclusion- I Surya the great god of Vedic tradition reaches on
the highest peak of divinity, and is identified with Supreme
Reality during Puranic phase. His personification was enlarged
without disturbing the spirit of original Vedic concepts. Devi
Bhagavata Purana describes that some persons who know the Vedas
worshipped the Sun everyday in the morning, midday and in the
evening with various hymns. This shows that among the Sauras, a
section continued worshipping Him in the old Vedic way through
symbol of Sun, not by images.
Conclusion -II Surya, is later realized as a Supreme god who can
bring about all wellbeing and can grant absolute immortality. Later
developed philosophical, mythological and scientific views were
added in the character of Puranic Surya Deva. Thank You