Page:Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Purānic.djvu/56

32 is not to be wondered at that the worship of Surya should continue.

The following translation of hymns from the Rig-Veda gives a fair specimen of the language used in addresses to Surya:—

"Behold the rays of Dawn, like heralds, lead on high The Sun, that men may see the great all-knowing god. The stars slink off like thieves, in company with Night, Before the all-seeing eye, whose beams reveal his presence, Gleaming like brilliant flames, to nation after nation. With speed, beyond the ken of mortals, thou, O Sun! Dost ever travel on, conspicuous to all. Thou dost create the light, and with it dost illume The universe entire; thou risest in the sight Of all the race of men, and all the host of heaven. Light-giving Varuna! thy piercing glance dost scan, In quick succession, all this stirring, active world, And penetrateth too the broad ethereal space. Measuring our days and nights, and spying out all creatures. Surya with naming locks, clear-sighted god of day, Thy seven ruddy mares bear on thy rushing car. With these, thy self-yoked steeds, seven daughters of thy chariot Onward thou dost advance. To thy refulgent orb Beyond this lower gloom, and upward to the light Would we ascend, O Sun! thou god among the gods."

Surya, as we. have already noticed, is regarded as a son of Aditi; at other times he is said to be a son of Dyaus. Ushas (the Dawn) is called his wife, though in another passage he is said to be produced by the Dawn. Some texts state that he is the Vivifier of all things; whilst others state that he was formed and made to shine by Indra, Soma, Agni, and others.

From the character ascribed to Savitri in some hymns, it seems more natural to regard him as the sun shining in his strength, and Surya as the sun when