the chariot of the sun-god (Surya), worshiped by the words om
bhur bhuva svah,travels at a speed of 3,400,800 yojanas [27,206,400
miles] in a muhurta.
My dear King, the
carriage of the sun-gods chariot is estimated to be 3,600,000 yojanas [28,800,000
miles] long and one-fourth as wide [900,000 yojanas, or 7,200,000 miles]. The
chariots horses, which are named after Gayatri and other Vedic meters, are
harnessed by Arunadeva to a yoke that is also 900,000 yojanas wide.
The seven horses
yoked to the sun-gods chariot are named Gayatri, Brhati, Usnik, Jagati,
Tristup, Anustup and Pankti. These names of various Vedic meters designate
the seven horses that carry the sun-gods chariot.
Arunadeva sits in front of the sun-god and is engaged in driving the chariot
and controlling the horses, he looks backward toward the sun-god.
There are sixty
thousand saintly persons named Valikhilyas, each the size of a thumb, who are
located in front of the sun-god and who offer him eloquent prayers of glorification.
other saints, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Nagas, Yaksas, Raksasas and demigods, who are
divided into groups of two, assume different names every month and continuously
perform different ritualistic ceremonies to worship the Supreme Lord as the most
powerful demigod Suryadeva, who holds many names.
most powerful demigod Surya, the Gandharvas sing in front of him, the Apsaras
dance before the chariot, the Nisacaras follow the chariot, the Pannagas decorate
the chariot, the Yaksas guard the chariot, and the saints called the Valikhilyas
surround the sun-god and offer prayers. The seven groups of fourteen associates
arrange the proper times for regular snow, heat and rain throughout the universe.
My dear King, in
his orbit through Bhu-mandala, the sun-god traverses a distance of 95,100,000
yojanas [760,800,000 miles] at the speed of 2,000 yojanas and two krosas [16,004
miles] in a moment.
to sunset is the route the Sun takes in his giant golden chariot harnessed to
yac-caksur esa savita sakala-grahanam
raja samasta-sura-murtir asesa-tejah
yasyajnaya bhramati sambhrita-kala-chakro
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
sun who is the king of all the planets, full of infinite effulgence, the image
of the good soul, is as the eye of this world. I adore the primeval Lord Govinda
in pursuance of whose order the sun performs his journey mounting the wheel of
time." (Sri Brahma Samhita 5.52)
professors of the Vedic religion worship the sun as Brahman. The sun is one of
the hierarchy of the five gods. Some people target in heat the source of this
world and therefore designate the sun, the only location of heat, as the root
cause of this world. Notwithstanding all that may be said to the contrary, the
sun is after all only the presiding deity of a sphere of the sum total of all
mundane heat and is hence a god exercising delegated authority. The sun performs
his specific function of service certainly by the command of Govinda." (A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)
of the sun
This chapter informs us of the movements of the sun. The sun
is not stationary; it is also moving like the other planets.
The sun's movements determine the duration of night and day.
When the sun travels north of the equator, it moves slowly
during the day and very quickly at night, thus increasing
the duration of the daytime and decreasing the duration of
night. Similarly, when the sun travels south of the equator,
the exact opposite is true -- the duration of the day decreases,
and the duration of night increases. When the sun enters Karkata-rasi
(Cancer) and then travels to Simha-rasi (Leo) and so on through
Dhanuh-rasi (Sagittarius), its course is called Daksinayana,
the southern way, and when the sun enters Makara-rasi (Capricorn)
and thereafter travels through Kumbharasi (Aquarius) and so
on through Mithuna-rasi (Gemini), its course is called Uttarayana,
the northern way. When the sun is in Mesa-rasi (Aries) and
Tula-rasi (Libra), the duration of day and night are equal.
Mountain are the abodes of four demigods. East of Sumeru Mountain is Devadhani,
where King Indra lives, and south of Sumeru is Samyamani, the abode of Yamaraja,
the superintendent of death. Similarly, west of Sumeru is Nimlocani, the abode
of Varuna, the demigod who controls the water, and north of Sumeru is Vibhavari,
where the demigod of the moon lives. Sunrise, noon, sunset and midnight occur
in all these places because of the movements of the sun. Diametrically opposite
the place where the sunrise takes places and the sun is seen by human eyes, the
sun will be setting and passing away from human vision. Similarly, the people
residing diametrically opposite the point where it is midday will be experiencing
midnight. The sun rises and sets with all the other planets, headed by the moon
and other luminaries.
The entire kala-cakra,
or wheel of time, is established on the wheel of the sun-god's chariot. This wheel
is known as Samvatsara. The seven horses pulling the chariot of the sun are known
as Gayatri, Brhati, Usnik, Jagati, Tristup, Anustup and Pankti. They are harnessed
by a demigod known as Arunadeva to a yoke 900,000 yojanas wide. Thus the chariot
carries Adityadeva, the sun-god. Always staying in front of the sun-god and offering
their prayers are sixty thousand sages known as Valikhilyas. There are fourteen
Gandharvas, Apsaras and other demigods, who are divided into seven parties and
who perform ritualistic activities every month to worship the Supersoul through
the sun-god according to different names. Thus the sun-god travels through the
universe for a distance of 95,100,000 yojanas (760,800,000 miles) at a speed of
16,004 miles at every moment.
By the influence
of its radiation, the sun heats the universe and maintains its proper order. It
also gives light to help all living entities see. While passing toward the north,
toward the south or through the equator, in accordance with the order of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, it is said to move slowly, swiftly or moderately. According
to its movements in rising above, going beneath or passing through the equator-and
correspondingly coming in touch with various signs of the zodiac, headed by Makara
[Capricorn]-days and nights are short, long or equal to one another.
When the sun passes
through Meña [Aries] and Tula [Libra], the durations of day and night are
equal. When it passes through the five signs headed by Våñabha [Taurus],
the duration of the days increases [until Cancer], and then it gradually decreases
by half an hour each month, until day and night again become equal [in Libra].
Introduction to Canto 5, Chapter 21-22
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Reality of the Sungod Sûrya
sun-god, who controls the affairs of the entire universe,
especially in regard to heat, light, seasonal changes and
so on, is considered an expansion of Narayana. He represents
the three Vedas -- Rg, Yajur and Sama -- and therefore he
is known as Trayimaya, the form of Lord Narayana.
the sun-god is also called Surya-Narayana. The sun-god
has expanded himself in twelve divisions, and thus he controls
the six seasonal changes and causes winter, summer, rain and
so on. Yogis and karmis following the varnasrama institution,
who practice hatha or astanga-yoga or who perform agnihotra
sacrifices, worship Surya Narayana for their own benefit.
The demigod Surya is
always in touch with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana.
Residing in outer
space, which is in the middle of the universe, between Bhuloka and Bhuvarloka,
the sun rotates through the time circle of the zodiac, represented by twelve rasis,
or signs, and assumes different names according to the sign he is in. For the
moon, every month is divided into two fortnights. Similarly, according to solar
calculations, a month is equal to the time the sun spends in one constellation;
two months constitute one season, and there are twelve months in a year. The entire
area of the sky is divided into two halves, each representing an ayana, the course
traversed by the sun within a period of six months. The sun travels sometimes
slowly, sometimes swiftly and sometimes at a moderate speed. In this way it travels
within the three worlds, consisting of the heavenly planets, the earthly planets
and outer space. These orbits are referred to by great learned scholars by the
names Samvatsara, Parivatsara, Idavatsara, Anuvatsara and Vatsara.
FROM THE RIG VEDA:
"The unageing wheel rolls out on its rim; the ten yoked horses draw it up the
outstretched path. All the words are kept in motion on the eye of the sun, that
moves on though shrouded in dark space." "You cross heaven and the vast realm
of space, O sun, measuring days by nights, looking upon the generations. Seven
bay mares carry you in the chariot, O sun god with hair of flame, gazing from
afar." --The Rig Veda: An Anthology, trans. Wendy Doniger O'Flaherty (New York:
Penguin Books, 1981), pp. 77, 190.
sun-god, who is Narayana, or Visnu, the soul of all the worlds, is situated in
outer space between the upper and lower portions of the universe. Passing through
twelve months on the wheel of time, the sun comes in touch with twelve different
signs of the zodiac and assumes twelve different names according to those signs.
The aggregate of those twelve months is called a samvatsara, or an entire year.
According to lunar calculations, two fortnights -- one of the waxing moon and
the other of the waning -- form one month. That same period is one day and night
for the planet Pitrloka. According to stellar calculations, a month equals two
and one quarter constellations. When the sun travels for two months, a season
passes, and therefore the seasonal changes are considered parts of the body of
the year." (SB
The movement of
the sun is confirmed in the Brahma-samhita. The sun orbits around Mount Sumeru,
for six months on the northern side and for six months on the southern. This adds
up to the duration of a day and night of the demigods in the upper planetary systems.
The sun is situated
[vertically] in the middle of the universe, in the area between Bhurloka and Bhuvarloka,
which is called antariksha, outer space. The distance between the sun and the
circumference of the universe is twenty-five koti yojanas [two billion miles].
O King, the sun-god
and the sun planet divide all the directions of the universe. It is only because
of the presence of the sun that we can understand what the sky, the higher planets,
this world and the lower planets are. It is also only because of the sun that
we can understand which places are for material enjoyment, which are for liberation,
which are hellish and subterranean.
All living entities,
including demigods, human beings, animals, birds, insects,
reptiles, creepers and trees, depend upon the heat and light
given by the sun-god from the sun planet. Furthermore, it
is because of the sun's presence that all living entities
can see, and therefore he is called drig-isvara, the Personality
of Godhead presiding over sight.
course of the sun through the 12 star signs
Bh‚gavatam Canto 5, Chapter 21, Text 1-19
Gosvâmî said: My dear King, I have thus far described
the diameter of the universe [fifty crores of yojanas, or
four billion miles] and its general characteristics, according
to the estimations of learned scholars.
a grain of wheat is divided into two parts and one can estimate
the size of the upper part by knowing that of the lower, so,
expert geographers instruct, one can understand the measurements
of the upper part of the universe by knowing those of the
lower part. The sky between the earthly sphere and heavenly
sphere is called antariksha, or outer space. It adjoins the
top of the sphere of earth and the bottom of that of heaven.
the midst of that region of outer space [antariksha] is the
most opulent sun, the king of all the planets that emanate
heat, such as the moon. By the influence of its radiation,
the sun heats the universe and maintains its proper order.
It also gives light to help all living entities see. While
passing toward the north, toward the south or through the
equator, in accordance with the order of the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, it is said to move slowly, swiftly or moderately.
According to its movements in rising above, going beneath
or passing through the equator--and correspondingly coming
in touch with various signs of the zodiac, headed by Makara
[Capricorn]--days and nights are short, long or equal to one
the sun passes through Mesha [Aries] and Tulâ [Libra],
the durations of day and night are equal. When it passes through
the five signs headed by Vrishabha [Taurus], the duration
of the days increases [until Cancer], and then it gradually
decreases by half an hour each month, until day and night
again become equal [in Libra].
the sun passes through the five signs beginning with Vris'cika
[Scorpio], the duration of the days decreases [until Capricorn],
and then gradually it increases month after month, until day
and night become equal [in Aries].
the sun travels to the south the days grow longer, and until
it travels to the north the nights grow longer.
Gosvâmî continued; My dear King, as stated before,
the learned say that the sun travels over all sides of Mânasottara
Mountain in a circle whose length is 95.100.000 yojanas [760.800.000
miles]. On Mânasottara Mountain, due east of Mount Sumeru,
is a place known as Devadhânî, possessed by King
Indra. Similarly, in the south is a place known as Samyamanî,
possessed by Yamarâja, in the west is a place known
as Nimlocanî, possessed by Varuna, and in the north
is a place named Vibhâvarî, possessed by the moon-god.
Sunrise, midday, sunset and midnight occur in all those places
according to specific times, thus engaging all living entities
in their various occupational duties and also making them
cease such duties.
living entities residing on Sumeru Mountain are always very
warm, as at midday, because for them the sun is always overhead.
Although the sun moves counterclockwise, facing the constellations,
with Sumeru Mountain on its left, it also moves clockwise
and appears to have the mountain on its right because it is
influenced by the dakshinâvarta wind. People living
in countries at points diametrically opposite to where the
sun is first seen rising will see the sun setting, and if
a straight line were drawn from a point where the sun is at
midday, the people in countries at the opposite end of the
line would be experiencing midnight. Similarly, if people
residing where the sun is setting were to go to countries
diametrically opposite, they would not see the sun in the
the sun travels from Devadhânî, the residence
of Indra, to Samyamanî, the residence of Yamarâja,
it travels 23.775.000 yojanas [190.200.000 miles] in fifteen
ghathikâs [six hours].
the residence of Yamarâja the sun travels to Nimlocanî,
the residence of Varuna, from there to Vibhâvarî,
the residence of the moon-god, and from there again to the
residence of Indra. In a similar way, the moon, along with
the other stars and planets, becomes visible in the celestial
sphere and then sets and again becomes invisible.
the chariot of the sun-god, which is trayîmaya, or worshiped
by the words om bhûr bhuvah svah, travels through the
four residences mentioned above at a speed of 3.400.800 yojanas
[27.206.400 miles] in a muhûrta.
chariot of the sun-god has only one wheel, which is known
as Samvatsara. The twelve months are calculated to be its
twelve spokes, the six seasons are the sections of its rim,
and the three câtur-mâsya periods are its three-sectioned
hub. One side of the axle carrying the wheel rests upon the
summit of Mount Sumeru, and the other rests upon Mânasottara
Mountain. Affixed to the outer end of the axle, the wheel
continuously rotates on Mânasottara Mountain like the
wheel of an oil-pressing machine.
in an oil-pressing machine, this first axle is attached to
a second axle, which is one-fourth as long [3.937.500 yojanas,
or 31.500.000 miles]. The upper end of this second axle is
attached to Dhruvaloka by a rope of wind.
dear King, the carriage of the sun-god's chariot is estimated
to be 3.600.000 yojanas [28.800.000 miles] long and one-fourth
as wide [900.000 yojanas, or 7.200.000 miles]. The chariot's
horses, which are named after Gâyatrî and other
Vedic meters, are harnessed by Arunadeva to a yoke that is
also 900.000 yojanas wide. This chariot continuously carries
Arunadeva sits in front of the sun-god and is engaged in driving
the chariot and controlling the horses, he looks backward
toward the sun-god.
are sixty thousand saintly persons named Vâlikhilyas,
each the size of a thumb, who are located in front of the
sun-god and who offer him eloquent prayers of glorification.
fourteen other saints, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Nâgas, Yakshas,
Râkshasas and demigods, who are divided into groups
of two, assume different names every month and continuously
perform different ritualistic ceremonies to worship the Supreme
Lord as the most powerful demigod Sûryadeva, who holds
My dear King, in his orbit through Bhû-mandala, the
sun-god traverses a distance of 95.100.000 yojanas [760.800.000
miles] at the speed of 2.000 yojanas and two kros'as [16.004
miles] in a moment.
The Vishnu Purâna states: Worshiping the most powerful
demigod Sûrya, the Gandharvas sing in front of him,
the Apsaras dance before the chariot, the Nis'âcaras
follow the chariot, the Pannagas decorate the chariot, the
Yakshas guard the chariot, and the saints called the Vâlikhilyas
surround the sun-god and offer prayers. The seven groups of
fourteen associates arrange the proper times for regular snow,
heat and rain throughout the universe.
Names of Surya -
Namaskara, the great exercise