Extra Credit Reading Notes, Surya: How the Sun God Was Tamed

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Surya: How the Sun God Was Tamed

Sanjna, daughter of the cosmic architect, had loved the warmth of the sun god all he life. When she grew into a woman, her father offered her hand in marriage to Surya the Sun God at her request.

After their wedding on earth, Sanjna returned with Surya to his home in the sky.

She bore a son named Manu. 

During Surya’s zenith he became too bright for Sanjna to see up close. She couldn’t open her eyes when she was near Surya. This offended the sun god so he cursed Sanjna to bear two more children. One would be Yama the Terrible, the god of death. The other would be a fickle daughter named Yamanu.

Sanjna decided to call on her shadow to take her place as mother to her children and wife of Surya since her shadow could stand before the sun god. Sanjna then turned herself into a mare to live in the forest in a life of penance until she could face her husband.

Her shadow, named Chhaya, took her place in Surya’s palace and bore her own children to the sun god. After caring for only her own children, it was reveled to the sun god that Chhaya was not his wife. He turned to Sanjna’s father to reduce his brilliance so that his wife Sanjna could look at him throughout the year.

Having the boon of reduced brilliance granted, Sanjna returned to her woman form and returned with her husband to their home in the sky.

Bibliography:

Mayah Balse, Amar Chitra Katha Vol 566, Surya: How The Sun God Was Tamed