Significance of Sunset
Synonyms: Dusk, Twilight, Sundown, Evening, Close of day, Eventide, Gloaming, Nightfall
In Dutch: Zonsondergang; In Finnish: Auringonlasku; In Spanish: Atardecer; In German: Sonnenuntergang; In Malay: Matahari terbenam; In Swedish: Solnedgång; In French: Coucher de soleil; In Portugese: Pôr do sol; In Italian: Tramonto; In Polish: Zachód słońca
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Sunset'
In Buddhism, sunset symbolizes vulnerability and the need for shelter, as illustrated by a lost, hungry, and cold man finding himself in that state during sunset.
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) Sunset found the man hungry and cold after losing his way, emphasizing his vulnerability and need for shelter.[1]
Hindu concept of 'Sunset'
In Hinduism, sunset signifies the transition from day to night, marking crucial moments for rituals such as Agnihotra, and symbolizes life cycles, offering opportunities for prayers and ancestral respect, while invoking tranquility and reflection.
From: Chandogya Upanishad (english Translation)
(1) The moment when the sun lowers in the sky, which is significant for making offerings to ancestors.[2] (2) Describes the phenomenon of sunset related to the western quarter, signifying a visual change in the sky.[3] (3) The event of the sun setting in the west, indicating the end of the day.[4] (4) The daily occurrence when the sun goes below the horizon, leading it to vanish into the air.[5] (5) The phenomenon of the sun appearing to move below the horizon in the southern direction.[6]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) This refers to the phenomenon when the Sun becomes invisible at dusk, merging into Air, which is responsible for making it invisible.[7] (2) The phenomenon wherein the Sun appears to descend below the horizon; its path is specified in numerous directions.[8]
From: Katha Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary
(1) The event of the sun disappearing from the sky, representing a cycle upon which all Devas rely.[9]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) An instance representing how the Sun, at the end of its daily cycle, disperses into Air.[10]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Indicates the time when the sun goes down; the Religious Student should leave the village before this time.[11] (2) Refers to the time in the evening when the sun goes down, marking the second eating period of the Shishu-Candrayana.[12] (3) A moment in time that can lead to a person becoming tainted by sin if they do not perform the expiatory rite.[13] (4) The time in the evening when the sun descends below the horizon, affecting the practices of fasting and reciting for students.[14]
From: Asvalayana-grihya-sutra
(1) The time of day when the sun goes down, marking the transition from day to night, during which silence should be kept if he is sleeping without sickness.[15]
From: Bharadvaja-srauta-sutra
(1) The time when the sun goes below the horizon, marking the end of the day and a critical point for timing the Agnihotra offering.[16]
From: Apastamba Dharma-sutra
(1) A condition requiring a person who is asleep to sit up fasting and silent for that night.[17]
From: Paraskara-grihya-sutra
(1) The sacred domestic fire should be worshipped after sunset and before sunrise.[18]
From: Sankhayana-grihya-sutra
(1) Kindling by attrition should take place before sunset and also at the time of the Vaishvadeva sacrifice, emphasizing the importance of sunset in the ritual timeline.[19]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) "Sunset" is the time of day when Krishna finds Nanda, marking a transition and possibly a time of vulnerability.[20] (2) The time when the sun goes down, as indicated in the Sanskrit text where protection is sought during this specific time of the day.[21] (3) the time in the evening when the sun disappears from the sky.[22] (4) The time of day mentioned as the current moment within the context of the dialogue.[23] (5) The time of day when the sun goes down, referred to as 'sandhyayam' in Sanskrit.[24]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) The time of day when the sun turned red, as described in the text.[25] (2) The time of day being referenced, which contributes to the imagery of color and emotion.[26]
From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation
(1) The daily disappearance of the sun below the horizon, marking the end of the day.[27]
From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)
(1) Khara refrains from saying more, lest their combat be intercepted as the hour of sunset is near.[28] (2) This describes the time of day when Lakshmana and the charioteer halted, providing a setting for their conversation.[29] (3) This refers to the time of day, indicating a specific time of day and a location from which a group of monkeys originated.[30]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) This refers to the end of the day when the sun goes below the horizon, signaling the transition to evening and the arrival of twilight.[31] (2) This describes the event that marked the end of the combat, as the sun disappeared behind the western hills.[32]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) This phrase signifies a specific time constraint, indicating that the King needed to be purchased before the end of the day, creating a sense of urgency.[33]
From: Satapatha-brahmana
(1) The time of day when the sun goes down, significant for the timing of certain rituals.[34] (2) A time marker within the rituals that emphasizes the transition from day to night, influencing the actions of the officiants.[35]
From: Brihat Samhita
(1) Sunset is the time when the Sun disappears below the horizon; if violent winds should blow breaking the tops of towers, trees and houses after sunset, there will be misery in the land.[36] (2) The moment when the sun descends below the horizon, marking the end of the day, which is a point in time mentioned in the text.[37]
From: Bharadvaja-srauta-sutra
(1) This is a specific event that triggers a set of actions, including tying gold and praying to Aditya with a particular verse.[38]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) The point in time when the sun goes down, marking the end of the day.[39]
Jain concept of 'Sunset'
In Jainism, Sunset symbolizes both the daily disappearance of sunlight, emphasizing time and illumination, and the moment when Vajranabha chose to reside in a cave on Mt. Jvalana, reflecting significant spiritual introspection.
From: Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti)
(1) The event of the sun disappearing from view at the end of the day, linked to the understanding of time and light in the text.[40]
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) The time in the evening when Vajranabha decided to stay in a cave on Mt. Jvalana.[41]
The concept of Sunset in local and regional sources
The keyphrase "Sunset" symbolizes endings and transitions across various contexts, from marking deadlines and serving as a metaphor for closure, to representing significant cultural moments like the recitation of auspicious verses by Brahmans.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) This is symbolic of the mystery that surrounds the cycle of birth and death.[42] (2) A further chapter included in the second edition, containing a discerning assessment of the output of the poet’s concluding ten years.[43] (3) Represents the end of a phase or destruction.[44] (4) The physical phenomenon of the sun disappearing from view, serving as a metaphor for endings.[45]
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) The deadline set by the official for Jagamitra to provide the tiger, creating a time constraint for the task.[46] (2) The time of day when the sun goes down, indicating the end of daylight.[47] (3) The time during the day when the Brahmans recited the auspicious verses, indicating the significance of the moment.[48]
The concept of Sunset in scientific sources
Sunset, according to regional sources, is the daily disappearance of the sun below the horizon. This creates a beautiful moment, inspiring affection for the city.
From: Sustainability Journal (MDPI)
(1) This is the daily disappearance of the Sun below the horizon, which creates a beautiful moment that makes you fall in love with the city.[49]
Classical concept of 'Sunset'
From: Ancient Egypt the Light of the World
(1) It sets into the land of life, which is also the land of the tree of life and the water of life, in which the dead become the living, resting in it.[50] (2) Sunset is associated with the triumph of Ra over his enemies in Amenta, and it is the hour when porcelain figures are placed upon the ground according to the Litany of Ra.[51]
From: The Gods of the Egyptians Vol 1
(1) After wandering about heaven at will, the souls who traveled with Ra rejoined him in his boat at sunset, beginning another journey through the Tuat.[52]
From: The Book of the Dead
(1) Allusion is made to it. Setteth Unas in life in Amenta.[53]
From: The History of Herodotus
(1) Direction towards which a sea-beach stretched, where the Hellenic city Argilos was located.[54]