Vedic influence on the Sun-worship in the Puranas
by Goswami Mitali | 2018 | 68,171 words
This page relates ‘Symbolic relevance of the Wheel 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 38 - Symbolic relevance of the Wheel in Sun-worship
Wheel is one of the material objects used as the symbol of the Sun that represents both the shape and motion of it.[1] In the Vedic literature, the wheel is frequently mentioned.[2] In different Vedic rituals and sacrifices like Vājapeya, etc., wheel is employed as the Sun symbol.[3] The god Viṣṇu, who is none other than the Sun-god is identified with the wheel.[4]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Ibid., p.155
[2]:
[3]:
Keith, A.B., Op cit., Part-I, p. 67; Part-II, p, 340