2016-12-23 Fri

Sun, o nourisher, single seer, controller, the power of the Lord of Creation, remove your rays and gather up your heat that I may see your most auspicious form. The Purusha that is within the sun, he am I (Yo’ sau Aditya Purusha, so-ham asmi).
- Isha Upanishad 16

The Surya (Sun) is considered to be the creator of the Prakriti (material universe) in the Veda and is also related to power, Visual perception and knowledge in Upanishads. He is also one of the most important heavenly bodies in various Indian texts from 5th and 10th century; these texts have estimated the planetary motion of the sun and planets.

The sun is worshiped not only in Vedas but also celebrated in Buddhism as a symbol of the victory of good over evil. The Greeks and Persians also worshiped sun as their common deity. The influence of the Kushan Empire on iconography and art of Surya can be seen in 4th century BCE.

Sun is referred to as Akra , Mitra, Savitr and Aditya in the Veda. Many ruling Indian families in the later periods claimed to be the descendants of the Sun God; one such royal family was the Jaipur princely state. The state of Jaipur, also known as Dhundhar (Dausa) was founded in 1093 by Dulha Rao. Later it was also known as Amber from 1300 to 1727 when a new capital called Jayapura was built and the state was then renamed Jaipur.

In 1818 Jaipur become the British protectorate, the stamp of Jaipur state featured Sun God on the chariot for 30 years. This stamp was printed on 3rd march 1931 in the reign of Sawai Maan Singh II. He was also the last Maharaja of Jaipur. Jaipur joined the Indian union in 1948.

Sun worship is followed by many Hindus even now. The Surya Namaskara or a salutation to the sun is a yogic routine formed by the gracefully linked asana. The classical dance Bharatnatyam even includes the poses that signify rays beaming towards the universe, a form of homage to the Surya.

The famous Gayatri Mantra is also associated with the Sun which is written in the oldest Vedic text- Rigveda “Let us Meditate on the excellent glory of the divine vivifying sun, may he enlighten our understandings”.