Vedic influence on the Sun-worship in the Puranas
by Goswami Mitali | 2018 | 68,171 words
This page relates ‘Pushan (the Lord of Entire World)’ of the study on the Vedic influence of Sun-worship in the Puranas, conducted by Goswami Mitali in 2018. The tradition of observing Agnihotra sacrifice and the Sandhya, etc., is frequently observed among the Hindus. Another important innovation of the Sun-worship in the Puranas is the installation of the images of the Sun in the temples.—This section belongs to the series “Salient Traits of the Solar Divinities in the Veda”.
Part 16 - Pūṣan (the Lord of Entire World)
Puṣan, in his luminous form is well mentioned in the Vedic mythology.[1] His solar character becomes very clear with the use of the epithet, āghriṇi,[2] i.e. glowing. Pūṣan is mentioned in the Vedas as the lord of prosperity.
In the Nirukta, it is cited:
Yāskācārya clearly states that Pūṣan is the preserver of all beings.[4] He looks upon all the creatures and protects them.[5] Pūṣan is mentioned in the Vedic texts as the dweller of the heaven.[6] He is mentioned as the messenger of the Sun in the aerial ocean and the best charioteer that drives downwards the golden rays (wheels) of the Sun.[7] By his rays, Pūṣan indeed preserves all. He manifests the entire world with his light.[8] He is mentioned as the producer and the protector of the cattle.[9] Again, six seasons are stated to be created by him.[10]
Sāyaṇācārya states thus:
uto api ca saḥ pūṣā mahyaṃ yajamānāya indubhiḥ yāgahetubhiḥ somaiḥ yuktān ṣaṭ vasantādīn ṛtūn anuseṣidhat anukrameṇa punaḥ punarnayan vartate iti śeṣaḥ/[11]
He bestows the wealth.[12] By such deeds, he stands as the lord not only of the entire firmament and also of the whole world.
Footnotes and references:
[2]:
cf., ā pūṣañcitrabarhiṣamāghṛṇe dharuṇaṃ divaḥ/ Ibid., 1.23.13
na hi tvā pūṣannatimanya āghṛṇe na te sakhyamapahnuve/ Ibid.,1.138.4
[3]:
Nirukta, 12.16
[5]:
cf., yo viśvābhi vipaśyati bhuvanā saṃ ca paśyati/ sa naḥ pūṣāvitā bhuvat// Ṛgvedasaṃhitā, 3.62.9
[7]:
cf., utādaḥ paruṣe gavi sūraścakraṃ hiraṅyayam/ nyairayadrathītamaḥ// Ibid., 6.56.3
[8]:
cf., śukraṃ te anyadyajataṃ te anyadviṣurūpe ahani dyaurivāsi/ viśvā hi māyā asi svadhāvo bhadrā te
[9]:
cf., pūṣā gā anvetu naḥ pūṣā rakṣatvarvataḥ/ Ibid., 6.54.5 pūṣannanu pra gā ihi yajamānasya sunvataḥ/ Ibid., 6.54.6
[10]:
cf., uto sa mahyamindubhiḥ ṣaḍyuktāñ anuseṣidhat/ gobhiryavaṃ na carkṛṣat// Ṛgvedasaṃhitā,1.23.15.
[11]:
Sāyaṇācārya, Ibid.
[12]:
cf., viśvā hi māyā avasi svadhāvo bhadrā te pūṣanniha rātirastu/ Ṛgvedasaṃhitā, 6.58.1