Vedic influence on the Sun-worship in the Puranas
by Goswami Mitali | 2018 | 68,171 words
This page relates ‘Mitra (the Sun-god of the Day)’ 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 14 - Mitra (the Sun-god of the Day)
Mitra is the supporter of the heaven and earth in the Vedas.[1] He is worshipped in the Vedas as the Sun-god of the day.[2]
Sāyaṇācārya states in his interpretation of a Ṛgvedic passage:
Mitra is regarded as the presiding deity of the day. He uncovers the objects in the morning that is covered by Varuṇa in the night.[4]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
cf., mitro dādhāra pṛthivīmuta dyām/ Ṛgvedasaṃhitā, 3.59.1
[3]:
Sāyaṇācārya on Ṛgvedasaṃhitā, 1.89.3
[4]:
cf., iṭasya te vi cṛtāmyapinaddhamaporṇuvan/ varuṇena samubjitāṃ mitrḥ prātarvyubjatu//Atharvavedasaṃhitā, 9.3.18