Hindu mythology, Vedic and Purānic . t explain the case satisfactorily in every the hymns in which Surya is addressed arenot very numerous, his worship was most common inthe olden time, and has continued to the present is to him that the Gayatri, the most sacred text ofthe Vedas, is addressed at his rising by every devoutBrahman. Simple in its phraseology, this short verse issupposed to exert magical powers. It is as follows :— Let us meditate on that excellent glory of the divine Vivifier ;May he enlighten (or stimulate) our understandings.* As a specimen of the lang
Hindu mythology, Vedic and Purānic . t explain the case satisfactorily in every the hymns in which Surya is addressed arenot very numerous, his worship was most common inthe olden time, and has continued to the present is to him that the Gayatri, the most sacred text ofthe Vedas, is addressed at his rising by every devoutBrahman. Simple in its phraseology, this short verse issupposed to exert magical powers. It is as follows :— Let us meditate on that excellent glory of the divine Vivifier ;May he enlighten (or stimulate) our understandings.* As a specimen of the language employed in some ofthe later writings in reference to this verse, read the *Indian Wisdom, p. SUN OR LIGHT DEITIES—SURYA. 3i following few lines from the Skanda Purana :—Nothing in the Vedas is superior to the invocation is equal to the Gayatri; as no city isequal to Kasi (Benares). The Gayatri is the motherof tthe Vedas, and of Brahmans. By repeating it aman is saved. By thepower of the Gayatri the Kshe-. triya (Warrior. caste) Vishvamitra became a Brah-marsi (Brahman Saint), and even obtained such poweras to be able to create a new world. What is there in-deed that cannot be effected by the Gayatri ? Forthe Gayatri is Vishnu, Brahma, and Siva, and thethree Vedas. * With promise of such blessings, it * Kennedys Hindu Mythology, p. 345. 32 THE VEDIC DEITIES. is not to be wondered at that the worship of Suryashould continue. The following translation*of hymns from the Rig-Veda gives a fair specimen of the language used inaddresses to Surya :— Behold the rays of Dawn, like heralds, lead on highThe Sun, that men may see the great all-knowing 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 speed, beyond the ken of mortals, thou, O Sun !Dost ever travel on, conspicuous to dost create the light, and with it dost ill
Size: 1359px × 1840px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookpublishercalcu, bookyear1913
