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Prof.Shashi Tiwari
Sanskrit Department, University of Delhi; General Secretary, WAVES India, New Delhi WAVES Tenth International Conference July 13-15, 2012 Center for Indic Studies, UMass Dartmouth
Introduction
The 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.
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..
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)
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
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]
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.
Food of Sun-god
The 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.
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
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