Chhath Mahaparva has started from today. In this great festival of folk faith, the fast is of Chhathi Mata and the worship is of Sun God. In this way, Surya is the spiritual deity and power of this festival. He is considered the first god of the Vedic period. He is the eldest among the Adityas and gods and is also the first god of the ancient tradition of the Vedic period, whose mention starts appearing from the Rig Veda itself.
Hiranyagarbha Sutra is found written in the tenth chapter of Rigveda.
Hiranyagarbha: Samvartatagre Bhootasya Jaat: Patirek Asit.
Sa Dadhar Prithivi Dyamutema Kasmai Devaya Havisha Vidhem. (Sukta-Rigveda-10-121-1)
This verse of this sutra explains the coming into existence or origin of the universe. This is where the word ‘Hiranyagarbha’ has been used for the first time in the Vedas, which means egg in the form of the universe. This verse says that life was within a body. There was an explosion in this body and then the cosmic elements evolved from it. The interpretation of the verse comes close to today’s scientific term Big Bang Theory. It also makes it clear that the formation of the Earth, water, fire, sky and air as well as the Moon and the Sun is the result of the explosion of this body.
Sun, the body that sustains life
Still, there is more interest in the Sun because it is also believed that the Sun was the body within which there was life and everything originated from it. That is why this body has been called Hiranyagarbha. Hiranya means golden or golden. That is why Suryadev also has a name Hiranya and Hiranyagarbha.
Sun is the source of light, heat and energy for the earth and is also the first god recognized by the Vedic sages. The Sun got its first name Hiranyagarbha because of its golden, white and burning color like fire. The word Hiranya means golden. In the first verse of Hiranyagarbha Sutra of Rigveda, Surya has been described as the sustainer of the earth and sky, and it has also been asked to worship him in the same form.
How was the Sun born?
How was the Sun born? The answer to this question is recorded in Vishnu Purana. According to the story, due to the wish of Virat Purush (Lord Vishnu has been called the first Virat Purush in the Puranas), an ocean as white as milk was created. A Peepal leaf formed in that milky ocean and a baby was seen lying on this leaf. This child continued to develop on his own will and became a complete man. He had four hands and the shadow of snakes on his head. When that great man opened his eyes, the light emanating from his eyes became the sun. Moon made from mind. Due to the sound coming from the ears and his desire to breathe, the universe was filled with vital air.
But even before Vishnupuran, it has been mentioned in a more precise manner in Yajurveda.
Moon Manso Jatashchaksho Suryo Ajayat,
Shrotradvayuscha pranascha hridayatsarvamidam jaayte.
Meaning: The moon was born from the mind of that great man, the sun from the eyes, air from the listener and this entire world from the life and heart.
Because of being born from the eyes of Lord Vishnu, Sun God is known by his own name Narayan, that is why he is called Surya Narayan in the world. It is also said that saluting and worshiping the Sun is actually worshiping Lord Vishnu.
Akashat Patitan Toyam Yatha Gachchati Sagaram,
Sarvdevanamaskar: Keshavam Prati Gachchati.
(Just as the water falling from the sky goes into the ocean. The salutations given to all the gods, reach Keshav i.e. Narayan only)
Apart from this, Brahma Purana also accepts the powerful influence of Sun and its majesty. Brahmapuran says,
Manasam vachikam vapi kayajan yachcha dushkritam,’
Sarva Surya Prasaden Tadshesham Vyapohati.
This is the reason why Surya is said to be the greatest among the gods and is as respected as Narayana. Although the king of the gods is Indra. Puranic stories say that different Indras have held this post at different times. Surya is said to be among the gods who sit in Indra’s court. Despite this, there are many stories in which Surya’s place has been different and highest among the gods.
In many stories, Surya has been described as the protector of all the gods. According to the story, once there was a fight between the gods and the demons. The demons won and the gods had to flee. Then all the gods went to their mother Aditi. When Aditi heard their problem, she started worshiping the Sun. When Suryadev appeared, Aditi asked him for the boon of being born as a son. Surya gave her the boon of becoming his mother. Surya is also named Aditya because he was born as the son of Aditi.
Surya, the eldest among the Adityas
Aditi has 12 sons including Indra. All of them are called Adityas, but in many places Surya is considered the eldest brother among these Adityas. However, the king of the gods is Indra, not Surya, but Surya has got the status equal to God because of his sacrifice, penance, his specialty of constantly burning and scorching. This story of the birth of the Sun is described in the Brahmanda Purana, in which the formation of the universe has been explained.
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