Surya, The Sun God: Its History, Iconography, Mythology, His Family and Surya Temples

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In Indian mythology and beliefs the Sun God is also known as Surya and Aditya. From time immemorial the Sun God is worshipped and revered as endless source of energy. The Puranas, the Vedas and the ancient Hindu epic, the Ramayana contain numerous references to the worship of Surya, the Sun God. In the Vedic scriptures, Surya has been described as a store house of energy and radiance without which nothing can survive on earth. There are numerous temples for the Surya spread across the length and breadth of this great country, some even dating back to 400 B.C. In India, Surya the Sun God has been venerated and worshipped for many centuries. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari every devout Hindu bows in obeisance by offering prayers to the rising Sun or Surya and thanks Surya for the bounties bestowed on humanity. Not a flower can bloom, not a soul can stir, nor the river flow but for the magnanimity of the Mighty Surya. Surya in His wrath parches once fertile fields, saps dry men and material into nothingness, and spreads by His absence a complete darkness within and without. Such are the blessings and curses of the Great Surya. This book is about Surya, the legends and myths surrounding it and about the worship of Surya without whose power and energy life is impossible in this universe. The readers will be enlightened as the author was while writing it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Shakti M Gupta

Shakti M. Gupta is an established author having written on varied subjects. A Botanist by profession, she taught Botany at Dyal Singh College, University of Delhi and retired in 1992 as a Reader. Dr. Gupta did her Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Delhi in 1958, subject of specialization; Physiological and Biochemical Studies in the Pre-sowing Hardening Treatment of Crop Seeds. In 1972, Dr. Gupta did another Ph.D. from the Faculty of Oriental Archaeology, Martin Luther University, Wittenberg-Halle, Germany. The subject of specialization: Plant Myths and Traditions in India. This qualified her as an Ethnobotanist. Her other books are: From Daityas to Devatas in Hindu Mythology: An Illustrated Dictionary; Vishnu and His Incarnations; Legends around Shiva; Surya, the Sun god; Karttikeya, the Son of Shiva; A Short Biography of the Renowned Palaeobotanist, Professor Birbal Sahni; A Comprehensive Volume on Festivals, Fairs and Fasts of India. Her most recent book, Plants in Indian Temple Art, is based on a survey of plants sculpted on Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina temples, including the myths, legends and folklore associated withu these plants. The Association of Plant Taxonomy awarded her the Jnan Chandra Memorial Medal for the year 2000 for the book Plants in Indian Temple Art.