The Sun - Indian Mythology

The Sun – Indian Mythology

In Indian Mythology and Hinduism, the deity of the Sun is known as Surya. As in other myths and legends, Surya pulls a chariot across the sky with the sun behind him. He has seven horses, representing the seven chakras on the body, the seven main colours of the rainbow, the seven musical notes, seven main elements (fire, earth, water, air, space, time and life), and the seven other celestial bodies that orbit the Sun in reality.

There is also a salutation to Surya in Hinduism called the Surya Namaskar. This salutation also goes with some yogic postures that balance the body and the chakras. It is normally done in the morning, to greet the Sun and pray for a fruitful day. It is also done so that crops will grow well and to pray for good weather because the Sun is the main provider for life. The Surya Namaskar also helps to strengthen bones,

There are many words for Surya that are used all over India and in different religions within Hinduism. Surya is also called Surya Narayan by Vaishnavs, Aditya, Ravi, Atmakaraka (soul giver/life giver).

The sun is also associated with the astrological signs, Leo, Aries and Sagittarius. The Sun’s element is also, naturally, fire.

One popular little story involving Surya is a set in the Mahabharata.

Kunti, the mother of the five Pandavas, had had a boon before her marriage, by which she could call upon any God and she would bear that God’s child. Once she had the boon, she had wanted to try it out so she called upon Surya to give her a child. However, when Surya came to her, she became frightened and she wanted to send him back, because it was not her duty to have any children before her marriage. Surya was bound by the boon to give her the child. Soon after, her first born, Karna was born. He was born with beautiful golden earrings and a Sun pendant to represent that he was the son of Surya. She could not keep him, however, so she laid him in a basket and pushed him off in a river. He was found by a poor charioteer and his wife, who took him in as their own and raised him in the court of the King. Later, Kunti married King Pandu and because he could not give her children, she asked for boons, as in, children, from other deities. The five Pandavas were Yudhishtir, Bheema, Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev. There was a huge battle between the Pandavas and their cousins the hundred Kauravas over land and who was going to rule. Karna had chosen the Kaurava’s side because he was swayed by money and wealth. As the battle started, Karna prayed for help from Surya his father, who gave him advice to never remove his jewellery. Unfortunately, Karna did remove it and as a result, died. The Pandavas won the battle. But Karna, because of his foolishness died.

Surya is also known as the one of the only Indian deities that can be seen, and worshipped in real life as Surya is the sun.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surya

http://webonautics.com/mythology/surya_sun.html

Own Knowledge and Bed Time Stories that my grandmother told me...

Well done WL, I really enjoyed that story at the end - 50 points.