Vedic influence on the Sun-worship in the Puranas
by Goswami Mitali | 2018 | 68,171 words
This page relates ‘Symbolic relevance of “Dadhikra” in Sun-worship’ 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 32 - Symbolic relevance of “Dadhikrā” in Sun-worship
Dadhikrā is one of the divine steeds deified in the Vedic texts.[1] The term is used as a synonym of horse in the Nighaṇṭu.[2] He is one of the fetishes of Sūrya. The fetish Dadhikrā is the representative of the swift moving luminary Sūrya that reflects the warlike aspect, i.e. the swiftness of the Sun.[3]
Sāyaṇācārya interprets the term [Dadhikrā] as:
dadhadanyaṃ dhārayan krāmatīti dadhikrāḥ/ tametannāmakaṃ devam/[4]
The swiftness of the Sun becomes clear with his application as the first steed at the head of the chariot,[5] identification with the eagle and the swan.[6] His speed is compared to the wind.[7]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Ṛgvedasaṃhitā, 4.38-40; 7.44
[2]:
Nighaṇṭu, 1.14
[3]:
cf., uta vājinaṃ puruniṣpidhvānaṃ dadhikrāsu dadathurviśvakṛṣṭim/ Ṛgvedasaṃhitā, 4.38.2 āśuṃ dadhikrāṃ tamu na ṣṭavāma divaspṛthivyā uta carkirām/ Ibid.,4. 39.1
[4]:
Sāyaṇācārya, Ibid., 4.38.2