Vedic influence on the Sun-worship in the Puranas

by Goswami Mitali | 2018 | 68,171 words

This page relates ‘Symbolic relevance of “Paidva” 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 34 - Symbolic relevance of “Paidva” in Sun-worship

< Previous

Next >

Paidva is one of the mythical steeds that had the name, as because, it was related to king Pedu:

paidvaḥ/ pedoḥ sambandhī/^[1]

The Aśvins are said to have brought it to king Pedu.^[2] He is mentioned as white in colour, conqueror of combatants, invincible in war by arrows, seeking heaven worthy of fame, likewise Indra.^[3] He is again mentioned as the dragon-slayer.^[4] Paidva is always used as the symbol of the Sun in the Vedic texts.^[5]