Scientific Aspects of Vedic Sun God Dr. Shashi Tiwari

Abstract

According to the Vedas, the structure of the world is purely Nature-oriented. It is said, 'Somasūryātmakam jagat’ i.e. 'the world is an outcome of Soma (water or moon) and the Sūrya (sun)’. The Nirukta talks about Sūrya as the source of all heat and energy; especially fire is the outcome of
solar energy. The study of Sun-god shows his intimacy with five basic elements: earth (pṛthivī), water (jala), air (vāyu), fire (agni), and ether (ākāśa). In the Ṛgveda Saṁhitā, the sun and its various forms and attributes are invoked and worshiped under various names denoting his functions, qualities or features, such as Sūrya, Savitṛ, Pūṣan, Bhaga, Mitra, Viṣṇu, Aryaman, Vivasvat, Aṁsa, and Āditya. These names can be etymologically explained as the epithets of Sun-god. Sūrya is the
most prominent among all the solar deities of Ṛgveda as he represents the visible luminous orb. Other solar deities reflect a number of characteristics and features of solar energy and its sustaining
power. The family, horses, chariot and other items related to Vedic Sun-god can be elucidated through scientific symbolism. Vedic insight has proved Sūrya as the main source of life and liveliness. Most of the mythological conceptions in reference to Sūrya are designed by the Vedic Seers on the basis of scientific knowledge