Vedic influence on the Sun-worship in the Puranas
by Goswami Mitali | 2018 | 68,171 words
This page relates ‘Sun-worship in Theriomorphic, Fetishistic and Symbolic Forms’ 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 30 - Sun-worship in Theriomorphic, Fetishistic and Symbolic Forms
Likewise in the anthropomorphic forms, the Sun-god is also worshipped in theriomorphic, fetishistic and symbolic forms; but in support of that no adequate evidences can be found. It becomes clear from the viewpoints of the scholars that Sunworship was rather prominent in anthropomorphic forms than that of the theriomorphic and others during the Vedic period.[1]
The Aśvins seem to have appeared in the form of horses,[2] while Aja Ekapāt as the goat with one foot.[3] The divine force Sūrya has been described as the horse,[4] the eagle[5] or a particular bird called Suparṇa Garutmat,[6] and the bull[7]
Besides these identifications of the Sun-god, there are various animal fetishes linked to the solar deities.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Vide, Keith, A.B., Op cit., Part-I, p. 62 Macdonell, A.A., Op cit., p.148