Surya

Sun, Light & Day

Surya, also known as Aditya, Ravi, Vivasvat or Savitr, is both the god of and embodiment of the sun itself! He symbolizes cosmic order, wisdom and knowledge and is a source of energy, light and warmth necesary for life. He chases away darkness, disease and asura, critical in the fight to uphold dharma. Surya is actually one of the oldest surviving deities from more ancient Sanatanis beleifs, worshipped far more in the Frozen Wastes than he is in Bharatavarsa. Surya's followers ritually offer him water, chant mantras and celebrate him in a number of festivals. Many Sanatanis start their day by offering Surya prayers and he is especially revered on Ravivara (Sunday). Multifaceted, Surya is a member of the Navagraha, part of an ancient trinity of protective gods and plays a prevalent role in the Smarta and Saura sects. Within these sects, Surya is one of five main deities or is equated to Brahman himself, ruling over the Trimurti! Among the Navagraha, he of course represents the sun and rules over the constellation and zodiac Shimha (Leo). Meanwhile the trinity he is a member of includes Agni and either Vayu or Indra. Surya drives away the darkness during the day while Agni fends it off during the night, protecting humanity from dark forces. Some legends place Surya as the son of Dyaus and Prithvi but more commonly he is one of the Adityas, a child of Kashyapa and Aditi. His siblings are the other Adityas and the Vasus, including Indra, Varuna, Mitra, Agni and Chandra among others. He is known to have two wives which are Sanjna and Chhaya, fathering Manu, Yama, Yami, Yamuna, the Ashvins, Revanta, Shani, Tapati, Karna and Sugriva.

Depiction Surya is depicted riding a golden chariot drawn by seven horses, each representing a different color of the rainbow and day of the week. This represents Surya as the sun itself, traveling across the sky each day. He is adorned by a respelendant, circular crown with outward rays representing the sun's rays and has either two or four arms, holding a lotus in two hands, a staff and a pen or palm leaf. He might also carry a dharmachakra or suryastra, a divine wheel or ranged weapon which creates bright light and energy, dries up bodies of water and destroys darkness. Other symbols include a wand, conch shell, trishula trident and a gada mace.