Legends related to Surya

Surya is the India god of the sun. Surya is often considered the highest god in the Vedas and the most important god to worship. This article summaries some of the stories and legends of Surya, the great Indian god of the sun.

Legends related to Surya
Abodes of Surya

There are several interesting legends surrounding Surya. Surya is considered to be an embodiment of the Trinity Bhrahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Surya is considered to be Bhrahma until midday, Shiva in the afternoon and Vishnu in the evening.

Surya is portrayed seated on a seven horse driven chariot. Aruna the charioteer is the elder brother of Garuda, the favorite mount of Vishnu.

Usha is the foremost of Surya’s consorts and is referred to in the Rig Veda. Usha is the queen of the night, and is described as dressed in gold clothing adorned with numerous stars. The second of his consorts is Padmini or the lotus. (The lotus blooms when the sun rises in the east). The third of Surya’s consorts is Chaaya.

Another legend has it that the first consort of Surya was Sanjana (Ganga). Yama and Yami were the children born to Surya and Ganga. Unable to bear the heat of the sun, Ganga returned to her father (Maya the divine architect)’s home. As she left her husband, she created a look alike Chhaya and left her in her place.

Chhaya bore more of Surya’s children, and meted out step motherly treatment to Yama and Yami. She cursed Yama to become an outcaste, and Yama thus became the God of death; Yami transformed into the river Yamuna.

Surya, suspecting foul play interrogated Chhaya, discovered the whereabouts of Ganga (Sanjana), reduced his intensity and led a life of bliss with her again; born to them were the divine physican twins, the Ashwini twins.

Source: http://www.templenet.com/beliefs/surya_legend.htm

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Tags: death, India, religion, surya, Vedas