सूर्य
Surya
Aditya · The Visible God
“The Sun — the eye of the world and giver of life, seen by all.”
Surya is the Sun God, one of the most ancient deities in Vedic tradition. He is the visible form of the divine, the source of all life and energy, and the deity of the Gayatri Mantra — the most sacred Vedic prayer.
- Vahana
- Chariot of seven horses
- Consort
- Sanjna and Chhaya
- Abode
- Suryaloka
- Tradition
- Pan-Hindu
Devi's Insight · What few people know
The Gayatri is a prayer to the Sun's light
The Gayatri Mantra, perhaps the most-chanted verse in Sanatan Dharma, is addressed to Savitr, the Sun's life-giving, awakening power. Seen by the sage Vishvamitra, it asks not for wealth but for the Sun's radiance to inspire our understanding.
Source: Rig Veda 3.62.10
Iconography
Reading the sacred form
- 1
Chariot drawn by seven horses: seven colors of the spectrum (VIBGYOR) and seven days of the week.
- 2
Charioteer Aruna (Dawn): transition from darkness to light.
- 3
Two hands holding lotuses: the sun nourishes all life like a lotus blooms with sunlight.
- 4
Golden crown and radiance: supreme authority among celestial bodies.
- 5
Two wives Sanjna and Chhaya: consciousness and shadow (light and shade).
- 6
Sons include Yama (death), Shani (Saturn), and the Ashwini twins (healers).
From the scriptures
Did you know?
Konark's Sun Temple is carved as his chariot, with 24 stone wheels and seven horses.
— Architectural record (13th century)
His charioteer Aruna, the dawn, is the elder brother of Garuda.
— Mahabharata, Adi Parva
He is the father of Karna, Yama, Yamuna and Shani.
— Mahabharata; Markandeya Purana
Chant
Sacred mantras
Celebrate
Festivals
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