Temples and Pilgrimages for Worshipping the Sun-god in the 笔耻谤腻峁嘺s [Part 10]

Vedic influence on the Sun-worship in the Puranas

by Goswami Mitali | 2018 | 68,171 words

This page relates 鈥楾emples and Pilgrimages for Worshipping the Sun-god in the Puranas鈥� 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.鈥擳his section belongs to the series 鈥淰edic Influence on the Sun-Worship in the Puranas鈥�.

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Part 10 - Temples and Pilgrimages for Worshipping the Sun-god in the 笔耻谤腻峁嘺s

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The Pur膩峁噄c texts contain detailed discussion of installation of the Sun image in the temple. The image of the deity would be installed with the great show off on an auspicious day and at an auspicious place in the centre of the city:

辫耻谤补尘补诲丑测补峁� sam膩艣ritya kury膩d膩yatana峁� rave岣�/^[1]

Prior to installation, it should be sprinkled with pure water that is brought from many rivers, from all the parts of the country.^[2] The 础驳苍颈辫耻谤腻峁嘺 prescribes the installation of the image of the Sun-god with the utterance of sacred mantras devoted to the deity.^[3] The 笔耻谤腻峁嘺 glorifies the building of a temple, saying that a person who builds a temple is always blessed. Even if one merely thinks of building a temple, the sins of hundred lives are forgiven.^[4]

The bliss of all kinds of sacrifices, pilgrimage, sacred bath, etc., is only obtained by establishing a temple:

辫丑补濒补峁� yann使使pyate yaj帽airdh膩ma k峁泃v膩 迟补诲腻辫测补迟别/
dev膩g膩re k峁泃e sarva迟墨谤迟丑补蝉n膩na辫丑补濒补峁� labhet//^[5]

The 厂腻尘产补辫耻谤腻峁嘺 gives a detailed discussion of the arrangement of a temple dedicated to the Sun-god.^[6]

The temple should be established after proper examination of the ground:

腻诲补耻产丑奴尘颈峁� par墨k峁t kury膩ddevag峁沨a峁� 迟补迟补岣�/^[7]

The Sun-god should be consecrated in the 驳补谤产丑补驳峁沨补, i.e. the main sanctum of the temple. A door should be there on the eastern part and a bathroom of the Sun-god should be erected there in the southern part. A room should be constructed there for the Agnihotra or Havana in the northern part of the temple.

The deities 艢补尘产丑耻 along with 惭腻迟峁沰腻蝉, 叠谤补丑尘腻 and 痴颈峁ａ箛耻 are to be installed in the shrines in the south, west and northern parts respectively:

耻诲耻峁卪耻办丑补峁� bhavaccha峁僢horm膩t峁涐箛膩峁� ca g峁沨ottamam/
brahm膩 pa艣cimata岣� sth膩pyo vi峁ａ箛uruttaratastath膩//^[8]

In front of the Sun image, the place of two Mah膩艣vet膩s should be made. The two 础艣惫颈苍蝉 should be installed outside at the door of the shrine and they are to be worshipped there. The attendants of the Sun-god should be also placed on the temple. R膩j帽a and Tos膩, i.e. the 碍腻谤迟颈办别测补 and the Hari respectively should be consecrated in the second shrine; two 碍补濒尘腻峁 birds, viz. Pret膩dhipa and 骋补谤耻岣峚 should be consecrated in the third shrine. Ja峁囜笉aka, who is Citragupta and the 惭腻峁环补谤补, who is Yamar膩ja should be placed in the southern direction. Besides these, in the western, Pr膩pnuy膩n, the ocean and 弄k峁t膩s, should be placed and in the north Kubera and Soma should be kept and to the north of Kubera and Soma, should be placed Revanta and 痴颈苍腻测补办补.^[9] Two 尘补峁囜笉补濒补蝉 should be made on the ground to offer arghya to the Sun-god in the morning and evening hour.^[10] The 厂腻尘产补辫耻谤腻峁嘺 mentions about a banner, i.e. dhvaja of the Sun with the representation of vyoma on it.^[11] The 叠丑补惫颈峁补辫耻谤腻峁嘺 specifies that the metal gold is to be used in the dhvaja.^[12] In honour of the Sun-god, the dhvaja is to be erected and they are called as dharmadhvaja on account of the figure dharma on the banner.^[13]

The Magas and the Bhojakas are considered as the Sun-worshipping priests associated with the installation and worship of the Sun image. Following the advice of 狈腻谤补诲补, 厂腻尘产补 had brought them to the region from the 艢腻办补诲惫墨辫补.^[14]

The 艢腻办补诲惫墨辫补 is situated far from 闯补尘产耻诲惫墨辫补 on the other side of salt-ocean and it is said to be surrounded with the sea of milk:

鈥�濒补惫补峁噊诲腻迟辫补谤别辫腻谤别办峁Ｄ玶辞诲别苍补蝉补尘腻惫峁泃补尘/
ja峁僢udv墨p膩tpara峁儁asm膩cch膩kadv墨p iti sm峁泃am鈥�//^[15]

One day 厂腻尘产补, the son of Lord 碍峁涐梗峁嘺 and J膩mbavant墨, went to take his bath in the river 颁补苍诲谤补产丑腻驳腻, where he found a glowing image that is brought by the current of the river. The image had been carved by 痴颈艣惫补办补谤尘补苍. 厂腻尘产补 installed the image on the bank of the river. As because all the 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺蝉 did not accept the offering of the gifts of the temple, 厂腻尘产补 was advised by

狈腻谤补诲补 to go to Gauramukha, a priest of Ugrasena, who again advised 厂腻尘产补 to bring Magas who had the right to accept the gifts presented to the temples of gods and to perform their worship:

tasy膩dhik膩o dev膩nne devat膩n膩帽ca p奴jane/^[16]

In the 厂腻尘产补辫耻谤腻峁嘺, the image of the deity itself advises 厂腻尘产补 to bring the Maga worshippers from 艢腻办补诲惫墨辫补 to worship him.^[17] Thus advised by 狈腻谤补诲补 and 厂奴谤测补, 厂腻尘产补 went to 艢腻办补诲惫墨辫补 and brought the Magas from there. These Bhojakas are referred to in the 叠丑补惫颈峁补辫耻谤腻峁嘺 as the installer and consecrator of the Sun images.^[18]

The 叠丑补惫颈峁补辫耻谤腻峁嘺 mentions about some important Sun temples. Va艣istha, the priest of 滨办峁腻办耻 dynasty had a Sun-temple that was constructed on the bank of the river 厂补谤补测奴,^[19] where he regularly worshipped the deity. By worshipping the Sun-god there on the month of 碍腻谤迟颈办补 with the utterance of the names of the deity and lighting the light, people achieve everything; the merit of all the sacrifices, glory equal to the Sun-god and even the 厂奴谤测补loka. There is another Sun temple, constructed by the son of Priyavrata, the king of 艢腻办补诲惫墨辫补, in his territory. He had installed a golden image of the deity there.^[20] To worship the deity, the Bhojakas had been appointed. Besides these, the other temples of the Sun-god mentioned in the 叠丑补惫颈峁补辫耻谤腻峁嘺 are the temples in 笔谤补测腻驳补, 笔耻峁补谤补, 碍耻谤耻办峁迟谤补, 狈补颈尘颈峁, P峁泃hudaka, Ka艣膩varta, 颁补苍诲谤补产丑腻驳腻, 厂辞峁嘺, 骋辞办补谤峁嘺, 叠谤补丑尘腻varta, 碍耻艣腻惫补谤迟补, Bilvaka, 狈墨濒补辫补谤惫补迟补岣苍狈墨濒补驳颈谤颈), 骋补峁単腻诲惫腻谤补, 骋补峁単腻蝉腻驳补谤补, Mitravana, Cakra迟墨谤迟丑补 and 搁腻尘补迟墨谤迟丑补.^[21] Among all the temples of the Sun-god, the temple of the 厂腻尘产补pura is regarded as the first abode of the Sun-god.^[22] The other major temples, devoted to the Sun-worship are the temples of Indravana, Mu峁囜笉墨ra and 碍腻濒补辫谤颈测补. ^[23]

The 笔耻谤腻峁嘺s also mention about different Sun-temples located in different places. The 骋补谤耻岣峚pur膩峁嘺 informs about three images of the Sun, established by 厂腻尘产补 after relieving from his diseases. One of the images, he had established on the Uday膩cala, another at 碍腻濒补辫谤颈测补, to the south of 驰补尘耻苍腻, and the third one he established at Mulasth膩na, i.e. the present Multan.^[24] The 笔耻谤腻峁嘺 also mentions that the devotee obtains greatest advantage, worshipping the rising Sun on the Uday膩cala, the midday Sun at 碍腻濒补辫谤颈测补 and the setting Sun at Mulasth膩na. It indicates the location of Uday膩cala in the east region, 碍腻濒补辫谤颈测补 in the centre and Mulasth膩na in the west part.

The 痴腻测耻辫耻谤腻峁嘺 mentions about 痴腻岣嵞乨颈迟测补, one of the forms of the Sun-god. The image of the-痴腻岣嵞乨颈迟测补 was installed by 痴腻测耻 in the city of 痴腻测耻pura. The deity is regarded as endowed with great prowess.

He bestows everything to his devotees and fulfils all the desires:

惫腻岣嵞乨颈迟测补艣肠补诲别惫别艣补岣� sth膩pito v膩yun膩 迟补诲腻/
办腻尘补诲补岣� 蝉补谤惫补诲补岣� s奴ryo prabhur墨峁岣� 辫谤补迟腻辫补惫腻苍//^[25]

The 叠谤补丑尘补辫耻谤腻峁嘺 mentions that to the south of the 叠丑腻谤补迟补惫补谤峁, in one of the shores of the great ocean, there is located the land named 翱峁囜笉谤补 and Utkala. In the Utkala, i.e. the 厂奴谤测补k峁tra, the image of the Sun-god known as Ko峁嚹乨itya is installed.^[26] The image of the deity is mentioned as auspicious, with the sight of which all sins of man is destroyed. The temple is surrounded with sand and trees. The best time for propitiating the deity is considered as the sunrise. The devotee, worshipping the deity according to the prescribed rites becomes free from the sins that acquired in the seven births.

The 惭腻谤办补峁囜笉别测补辫耻谤腻峁嘺 refers to many centres of the Sun-worship. According to it, 碍腻尘补谤奴辫补 is one of the places where the worship of the Sun-god was prevalent from very early period. The old King 搁腻箩测补惫补谤诲丑补苍补, propitiating the Sun-god here in the region, regained his youth.^[27] The 碍腻濒颈办腻辫耻谤腻峁嘺 mentions two important places of Sun-worship. It refers to the holy place called Ravik峁tra that is located on a hill called Tattva to the west of the river Trisrot膩.^[28] The Ravik峁tra is now identified as the 艢r墨厂奴谤测补 mountain of the district in Goalpara, where the twelve identical figures, i.e. the twelve 膧诲颈迟测补蝉, in the form of Lotus-petal are found arranged around the figure of 碍腻艣测补辫补. The Citra艣aila is another place of Sun-worship in the region where the Sungod is worshipped along with the nine planets.^[29] The Citra艣aila is presently known as Navagraha hill in Guwahati, Assam.

The Sun-god is worshipped in the form of 尝辞濒腻谤办补 in the 笔耻谤腻峁嘺s. But the episode of 尝辞濒腻谤办补 is found in variant ways in different 笔耻谤腻峁嘺s.^[30] According to the 痴腻尘补苍补辫耻谤腻峁嘺, the deity achieved the form lolling between 痴补谤耻峁嘺 and the river As墨, due to some quarrels with the Asuras.^[31] He was restored to his place 尝辞濒腻谤办补, that in probably the 尝辞濒腻谤办补碍耻峁囜笉补, near Badaini, in the district of 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨. The Sun-god is worshipped there along with the other Br膩hma峁噄cal deities. Again, according to the 厂办补苍诲补辫耻谤腻峁嘺, due to his eagerness, i.e. lola, the Sun-god acquired the name 尝辞濒腻谤办补.^[32] The temple of 尝辞濒腻谤办补 is located in the southern direction of 碍腻艣墨 at the confluence of Asi with 骋补峁単腻. Among all the holy 迟墨谤迟丑补蝉 of the place, the 尝辞濒腻谤办补 is considered as the first and foremost and other 迟墨谤迟丑补蝉 are regarded as subsidiaries to it, those watered by its holy water.^[33] Due to the greatness of the deity, the inhabitants of

碍腻艣墨 achieve and preserve good. The annual pilgrimage to the place on the seventh lunar day in the month of M膩ga艣墨r峁, or on the sixth day that falls on a sunday makes man free from all types of sin. All the sins committed by man during the whole year are destroyed with the visit of 尝辞濒腻谤办补 on the sixth lunar day that falls on Suday.^[34] The holy bath at the confluence of Asi and 骋补峁単腻, by propitiating the 笔颈迟峁泂 and the deities along with the performance of 艣谤腻诲诲丑补 on that place, one becomes free to the indebtedness to the 笔颈迟峁泂.^[35] With the holy dip at the confluence of 骋补峁単腻 and Asi on the seventh day in the bright half of 惭腻驳丑补 called 搁补迟丑补蝉补辫迟补尘墨, one becomes free from the sins incurred in the course of seven births.^[36] Again, if anyone takes a visit to 尝辞濒腻谤办补 on every Sunday observing the vows of cleanliness, he becomes free from all the miseries in the world. Along with the miseries, the people get rid of all the skindiseases, e.g. 笔腻尘补, Dadru or 痴颈肠补谤肠颈办腻, worshipping the Sun-god in the form of 尝辞濒腻谤办补 located in the V膩r膩峁嘺艣墨.^[37]

The Sun-god has divided himself into twelve forms in the city of 碍腻艣墨 to destroy all the sins of his devotees.^[38] These twelve forms of the Sun-god are, 尝辞濒腻谤办补, 鲍迟迟补谤腻谤办补, S膩mb膩ditya, Drupad膩ditya, May奴kh膩ditya, Khakholk膩ditya, Aru峁嚹乨itya, V峁沝dh膩ditya, Ke艣av膩ditya, Vimal膩ditya, 骋补峁単腻ditya and Yam膩ditya. The twelve shrines dedicated to the worship of these forms of the Sun are located in 碍腻艣墨.

The Sun-god is worshipped in the form of 鲍迟迟补谤腻谤办补.^[39] The image of the Sungod 鲍迟迟补谤腻谤办补 is installed on the Arka办耻峁囜笉补, in the north side of the 痴颈艣惫别艣惫补谤补 temple in 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨. The deity 鲍迟迟补谤腻谤办补 dispels the miseries of the people and flourishes the good people. The Arka办耻峁囜笉补 is also known as Bakari膩碍耻峁囜笉补. The annual pilgrimage of the lord 鲍迟迟补谤腻谤办补 should be performed on a Sunday in the month of 笔耻峁腻, which bestows all the benefits of 碍腻艣墨.^[40]

A small shrine of S膩mb膩ditya is found near 厂奴谤测补办耻峁囜笉补, near Godaulia. 厂腻尘产补, the son of 碍峁涐梗峁嘺, worshipping the deity at the city of the 痴颈艣惫别艣惫补谤补, i.e. 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨 got rid of leprosy.^[41] Due to the redemption and purity of the place, all the great sins committed by the people are removed, and all the diseases are cured at 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨, if no remedy has been seen for, even by the sages.^[42] The deity S膩mb膩ditya, the dispeller of all ailments, bestows all the riches to his devotees there, making them free from evil and illness. No disease can afflict the devotee: if he takes a holy dip in 厂腻尘产补办耻峁囜笉补, early at dawn on a Sunday and worships the deity S膩mb膩ditya. Widowhood never hits the woman if she worships the Sun-god in the form of 厂腻尘产补. The barren woman gives birth to a son, endowed with pure handsome features.^[43] In the month of Madhu, i.e. Caitra, on a Sunday, the annual pilgrimage and festivities take place at 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨. After taking the holy bath in the 厂腻尘产补办耻峁囜笉补, and worshipping the deity with 础艣辞办补 flowers according to the injunctions, the devotee becomes free from grief and all the sins he has committed throughout the year.^[44]

The temple of the deity Draupad膩ditya is located under a tree on the west side of the 痴颈艣惫补苍腻迟丑补 temple. The Sun-god occupying this form bestows supernatural powers to his devotees.^[45] Vi艣ve艣ara had given a boon to Draupad膩ditya, satisfied with his penance, that if a man visits 痴颈艣惫别艣惫补谤补 after worshipping the Sun in the form of Draupad膩ditya, he becomes free from the darkness of his miseries with the rays of the Sun.^[46] Due to this boon, the Sun-god dispels forever the sins of the creatures those stationed at 碍腻艣墨.

The temple of May奴kh膩ditya is located there inside the 惭补峁単补濒腻顿别惫墨 temple.^[47] The deity had achieved the name May奴kh膩ditya as because at the time of his performance of penance only the rays of the deity were seen, not the body.^[48] The Sungod called May奴kh膩ditya had installed a great 濒颈峁単补 named Gabhast墨艣vara and 骋补耻谤墨, named as Mangala. The 濒颈峁単补 gives all siddhis to the devotees.^[49] A person taking his holy bath in 笔补帽肠补苍补诲补 with the adoration of Gabhast墨艣vara, becomes rid of all his sins and becomes free from the cycle of rebirth. Propitiating the Sun-god there, people becomes free from sickness. If a person visits May奴kh膩ditya on Sunday, no one will incur poverty.^[50]

The image of the deity Khakholka is at present in the 碍腻尘别艣惫补谤补 temple in 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨.^[51] The Sun-god called Khakholk膩ditya destroys all the ailments. By unethical way, 痴颈苍补迟腻, the mother of 骋补谤耻岣峚, was defeated by Kadru. 骋补谤耻岣峚 released his mother from the slavery. After that, both 痴颈苍补迟腻 and 骋补谤耻岣峚 had gone to 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨 to perform severe penance. 骋补谤耻岣峚 installed there a 濒颈峁単补 of 艢补尘产丑耻 and 痴颈苍补迟腻 installed the splendid one Khakholka, one of the forms of 膧诲颈迟测补. The deity Khakholk膩ditya appeared in front of 痴颈苍补迟腻 and blessed her to become free from various sins, providing her the knowledge of 艢颈惫补. The deity was also named as 痴颈苍补迟腻ditya after her name.^[52] Khalkholk膩ditya is believed to have destroyed the various sins of the resident of 碍腻艣墨.

The idol of Aru峁嚹乨itya is installed in 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨 to the north of the 惭补丑腻诲别惫补 temple. 痴颈苍补迟腻 was cursed by her own son 础谤耻峁嘺, who was born unfledged, due to the excessive eagerness of her under which she broke open the egg prematurely. Inquired by 痴颈苍补迟腻, 础谤耻峁嘺 told her the way to get release from the curse. After that, he flew unto the sacred place called 膧nandak膩nana at 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨 and performed penance there. He propitiated the Sun-god and the deity became known as Aru峁嚹乨itya after his name. The people, who worship the deity there in 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨 will have nothing to fear from anywhere.^[53] The worshippers become free from misery, poverty and sins. They become free from all ailments, no evil phenomena will attack them and no fire of grief can burn them.^[54]

The image of the Sun-god in the form of V峁沝dh膩ditya is installed towards the south of 痴颈艣腻濒腻办峁Ｄ� in 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨.^[55] The image carries all auspicious characteristics and was intended to bestow auspiciousness. The people attained supernatural powers propitiating the Sun-god in 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨 in the form of V峁沝dh膩ditya. He destroys old age, wretchedness and ailments.^[56] A man would attain the desired benefit, by bowing down to V峁沝dh膩ditya at 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨 on a Sunday.^[57]

The crystal 濒颈峁単补 of Lord 惭补丑别艣惫补谤补 made by the Sun was placed and worshipped to the north of 膧dike艣vara in 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨. It is known as Ke艣av膩ditya. The Sun-god is known as Ke艣av膩ditya, attaining the spiritual knowledge, after associating with 碍别艣补惫补.^[58] The deity destroys the darkness of the devotees and bestows them everything according to their desires.^[59] By propitiating Ke艣av膩ditya, at 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨, a man acquires highest wisdom whereby he attains salvation too. People performing the ritualistic offerings of water to one鈥檚 predecessors in the holy 迟墨谤迟丑补 called P膩dodaka at the confluence of 骋补峁単腻 and 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨 and visiting Ke艣av膩ditya, become liberated from inherited sins.^[60] Again, on the 搁补迟丑补蝉补辫迟补尘墨 day, the seventh day of the bright half of 惭腻驳丑补, that falls on a Sunday, the devotee taking a bath early in the morning in the P膩dodaka迟墨谤迟丑补 in front of 膧dike艣vara, observing silence and worshipping Ke艣av膩ditya becomes free from the sins incurred in the course of seventh birth.^[61]

The seven types of sins are鈥�

sins, committed in the current birth;
sins, acquired in the previous birth;
mental sins;
verbal sins;
physical sins;
known sins and
unknown sins.

The holy bath at Ke艣av膩ditya on the 蝉补辫迟补尘墨 of Makara destroys the seven types of sins.

The temple of Vimal膩ditya, one of the forms of the Sun-god is placed on the beautiful forest of Harike艣vara in 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨. As the 碍峁迟谤颈测补 Vimala became free from the leprosy worshipping the Sun-god there in 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨, people, visiting the deity there, becomes free from the foul disease of leprosy.^[62] The deity Vimal膩ditya is always regarded as the bestower of the boons on devotees and dispels all ailments and sins.

To the south of 痴颈艣惫别艣惫补谤补 in 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨, the deity 骋补峁単腻ditya is installed. By seeing 骋补峁単腻ditya a man attains purity. 骋补峁単腻 when arrived with 叠丑补驳墨谤补迟丑补, leading her, the Sun-god placed himself there in order to eulogise 骋补峁単腻. The person who propitiates 骋补峁単腻ditya in 痴腻谤腻峁嘺蝉墨, never attains wretchedness at any place nor falls ill.^[63]

The 膧诲颈迟测补 that was installed by Yama to the west of Yame艣a and to the east of V墨re艣a is known as Yam膩ditya. Yam膩ditya removes the torture that arises from Yama.^[64] The devotee, worshipping Yame艣a and Yam膩ditya and taking a holy dip in Yama迟墨谤迟丑补 never sees the world of Yama.^[65] Taking a bath in Yamat墨rta on Tuesday that falls on the fourteenth lunar day and a visit to Yame艣vara makes man free from all sins.^[66] Again the performer performing libation and offerings of balls of rice in Yama迟墨谤迟丑补 on the fourteenth day on a Tuesday with 叠丑补谤补峁嚹� constellation becomes free from indebtedness to 笔颈迟峁泂. One becomes free from indebtedness to the 笔颈迟峁泂 by performing 艣谤腻诲诲丑补 in Yama迟墨谤迟丑补, adoring Yame艣vara and bowing down to Yam膩ditya.

驰腻箩帽补惫补濒办测补 had installed twelve Sun-gods at different places in the H膩take艣varak峁tra.^[67] He had installed a Sun-god called 艢a峁卥h膩ditya. The temple of the deity is known as 艢补峁卥丑补迟墨谤迟丑补. 艢补峁卥丑补 had also resorted to a water tank, known as 艢补峁卥丑补办耻峁囜笉补, near to the temple and performed his penance there. A person taking his holy bath there at sunrise on the eighth lunar day in the bright half in the month of 痴补颈艣腻办丑补 that falls on a Sunday, becomes free from all types of leprosy and becomes brilliant like the Sun.^[68] The deity fulfils all the desires of his worshippers and destructs their sins. In the H膩take艣vara, the image of the 搁补迟苍腻诲颈迟测补, one of the forms of the Sungod was installed by the King Ratn膩k峁. It destructs all sins of his worshippers. Without using any implement of digging, 痴颈艣惫腻尘颈迟谤补 dug up a pit on the ground in H膩take艣vara with his own hands. He meditated and brought the river 闯腻丑苍补惫墨 from 笔腻迟腻濒补 there.^[69] All the sins of people destruct with the holy ablution into it. Later on King Ratn膩k峁 being freed from his diseases of leprosy worshipping the Sun-god there, installed the image of the deity. In the bright half of the 惭腻驳丑补 that falls on a Sunday bowing down to 顿颈惫腻办补谤补 there, a man becomes rid of leprous ailments and sins. To the northwestern side of it a water tank was created by Dhanvantari. With the holy bath into it man becomes free from all ailments. The devotee taking a holy bath there and visiting the deity on the Saptam墨 day in conjunction with a Sunday, shall be relieved of sins and go to the world of the Sun.^[70] The image of the 惭腻谤迟补峁囜笉补 was installed by 痴颈艣惫腻尘颈迟谤补 in the H膩take艣vara. The deity destructs all the leprous ailments. On the seventh lunar day in the bright half of the month of 痴补颈艣腻办丑补, that falls on a Sunday and constellation Pitradaivatya, the deity was worshipped by his devotee with hundred and eight circumambulations to become free from leprosy.^[71] 厂腻尘产补, to get rid of his leprosy worshipped the Sun-god called S膩mb膩ditya after bathing in the auspicious water of Sindhu. He started slowly towards the holy spots beginning with the 笔耻峁补谤补 worshipping lord 笔耻峁补谤补sv膩min. 厂腻尘产补 took his holy bath there in the meritorious waters of the 办耻峁囜笉补 and offered libation to the 笔颈迟峁泂 and Devas. On a Sunday, coinciding with Saptam墨, he went to the temple of Kuharasv膩m墨, and worshipped the deity offering fruits and one hundred and eight circumambulations, repeating the 厂奴谤测补g膩yatr墨.^[72] The temple of Bakul膩rka, i.e. the lord of the forest groove, is placed on the west of the idol of 艢补尘产丑耻 in the Ravik峁tra.^[73] A 办耻峁囜笉补 occurred there with the hind leg of the horse, i.e. the disguised form of the Sun.^[74] Both the temple and the 办耻峁囜笉补 are located in the 顿丑补谤尘腻谤补峁噛补, in the northern 碍耻谤耻办峁迟谤补. If a man takes his holy bath in the Ravi办耻峁囜笉补, he becomes free from sins, never afflicted with sickness, leprosy, etc.^[75] The manes become redeemed if fallen in great hells, with the bath to it.^[76] Taking the bath on the seventh lunar day in conjunction with Sunday, or at the time of lunar and solar eclipses, a bath in Ravi办耻峁囜笉补 makes the people free from the cycle of rebirth.^[77] The holy dip in the Ravi办耻峁囜笉补, on the day of the transit of the Sun, on 痴测补迟墨辫腻迟补, on 痴补颈诲丑峁泃补, on the full moon day, on the new moon day, or on the fourteenth day of the dark and bright half of a month gives the benefit of ten million sacrifices to the devotees.^[78]

Besides the temples, there are some centres of pilgrimage mentioned in the 痴补颈峁ａ箛补惫补办丑补峁囜笉补 of the 厂办补苍诲补辫耻谤腻峁嘺. The 顿惫腻诲补艣腻诲颈迟测补 is one of them, situated near Soma办耻峁囜笉补.^[79] The holy bath that is taken there on Sunday, Saptam墨 and 厂补峁僰谤腻苍迟颈 is regarded as very auspicious, and people visited the place seeking blessings of the Sungod. There is a 迟墨谤迟丑补 called Arka迟墨谤迟丑补, situated to the west to Marka峁璦迟墨谤迟丑补, on the bank of the river 狈补谤尘补诲腻 in Tripuri.^[80] King Gandharvar膩ja is said to have been cured of his leprosy by worshipping the Sun-god. The 迟墨谤迟丑补 is also known as Bh膩skara迟墨谤迟丑补.

Besides this, there is another 迟墨谤迟丑补 known as S奴ry膩k峁迟墨谤迟丑补.^[81] The temple of the 膧ditye艣vara is situated to the north of the river 狈补谤尘补诲腻.^[82] It is considered as the great pilgrimage of Hindu, that is praised as better than even 碍耻谤耻办峁迟谤补, 笔谤补测腻驳补, 狈补颈尘颈峁, 笔耻峁补谤补, 碍腻艣墨 and 碍别诲腻谤补. At the time of solar eclipse, people coming from different parts take their holy bath there and make different gifts. It is also known as Arka迟墨谤迟丑补 and 厂奴谤测补迟墨谤迟丑补.^[83]

The Candr膩ditya迟墨谤迟丑补 is another centre of pilgrimage, which was installed by two 搁腻办峁蝉补蝉, the 颁补峁囜笉补 and the 惭耻峁囜笉补 on the bank of the river 狈补谤尘补诲腻.^[84] In the 础惫补苍迟墨办丑补峁囜笉补 under the 搁别惫腻办丑补峁囜笉补, a temple is mentioned, dedicated to the Sun-god Nar膩ditya or Narad墨pa which was built in 鲍箩箩补测颈苍墨. The temple was known for its glory.^[85] The Nar膩ditya temple is at present near the 碍腻濒补产丑补颈谤补惫补 temple in 鲍箩箩补测颈苍墨. There is a 迟墨谤迟丑补 of Dv膩da艣膩rka which is situated on the south bank of the river 碍峁辫谤腻.^[86] The Sun-god was believed to be taken the human form in 笔谤补产丑腻蝉补办峁迟谤补 and therefore it is also regarded as the place of pilgrimage.^[87] The place 笔谤补产丑腻蝉补办峁迟谤补 is at 厂补耻谤腻峁ａ弓谤补 and also known as the Arkasthala. There is a 厂奴谤测补k峁tra at the confluence of the rivers 叠谤腻丑尘墨, 贬颈谤补峁噛补 and the sea.^[88] Besides these, the shrines of the Sun-gods, Gop膩ditya,^[89] 厂补驳补谤腻诲颈迟测补,^[90] 狈补驳补谤腻诲颈迟测补,^[91] 狈补苍诲腻诲颈迟测补,^[92] etc., were installed on the bank of the river 惭腻丑别艣惫补谤墨 in the Prabh膩sak峁etra by the 骋辞辫墨蝉 of 碍峁涐梗峁嘺, Sagara, Janaka and Nanda respectively. 痴颈艣惫腻尘颈迟谤补 installed the temple of the Sun-god B膩l膩ditya by name at the distance of four 办谤辞艣补蝉 from 础驳补蝉迟测腻艣谤补尘补 and it became the centre of pilgrimage.^[93] Besides these, the 笔谤补产丑腻蝉补办峁迟谤补 refers to the shrine of the Sun-god Balukasv膩m墨,^[94] 鲍迟迟补谤腻谤办补,^[95] 碍峁尘腻诲颈迟测补,^[96] 顿耻谤驳腻诲颈迟测补,^[97] etc. The image of the Sun-god, called Citr膩ditya was installed by Citra, one of the sons of Mitra.^[98] The strotra devoted to the deity contains the names of all the important images of the Sungod, placed on different parts of India. All total sixty-three images of the Sun-god are mentioned along with its places in the specified strotra found in the 笔谤补产丑腻蝉补办丑补峁囜笉补 of the 厂办补苍诲补辫耻谤腻峁嘺.

Thus, the 笔耻谤腻峁嘺s glorify the building of a temple. They contain huge information relating to the different Sun-temples located in different parts of India. The Pur膩峁噄c texts narrate some legendary episodes connected with the origin of such temples. The Sun-god was worshipped under different names in the temples, appearing before his devotees, occupying different forms. Besides the temples, there were some centres of pilgrimage mentioned in the Pur膩峁噄c texts. With a view to getting relief from different diseases or sins or to fulfil different desires, the devotees went to the pilgrimage and took their sacred baths on different months and different constellations. His worship as the remover of diseases and reliever of sins is very much prominent in the Vedas,^[99] and it has a direct impact on the Sun-worship in the pilgrimage and temples in 笔耻谤腻峁嘺s.

Thus, the Pur膩峁噄c literature stands as the great source of ancient Indian history containing information in it, relating to the religion, culture, geography, etc., of ancient India. From the study, is becomes clear that the Sun-worship in the Pur膩峁噄c period which is developed into the sectarianism is indeed fully influenced by the Vedic mode of worship of the Sun.

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

Ibid., 1.130.41

[2]:

Ibid., 1.133

[3]:

础驳苍颈辫耻谤腻峁嘺, 99.1-5

[4]:

Ibid., 38.1,2

[5]:

Ibid., 38.6

[6]:

厂腻尘产补辫耻谤腻峁嘺, 29

[7]:

Ibid., 29.7

[8]:

Ibid., 29.15,16

[9]:

Ibid.,29.17-21

[10]:

cf., argh膩ya ma峁囜笉ale dve vai k膩rye savy膩pasavyayo岣�/ dady膩dudayavel膩y膩mardha峁� s奴ry膩ya dak峁峁噀// Ibid., 29.22

[11]:

cf., ravervyoma sm峁泃a峁� dhvaje/ Ibid., 33.8

[12]:

叠丑补惫颈峁补辫耻谤腻峁嘺, 1.138.45

Ibid., 1.138.37

Ibid., 1.139

Ibid.,1.139. 72-73

Ibid., 1.139.28

cf., vij帽apte tvayya艣e峁峁嘺辫谤补迟颈尘腻 tamuv膩ca ha/ na 测辞驳测补岣� paricaryy膩y膩峁� jambudv墨pe mam膩nagha// mama p奴j膩par膩 k峁泃v膩艣膩kad墨p膩ih膩naya/ lava峁噊d膩tpare p膩re k峁Ｄ玶odena sam膩v峁泃am// 厂腻尘产补辫耻谤腻峁嘺, 26.27,28

[18]:

Bhavi P., 1.117, 135,140, 144, 145, 146, 147

Ibid.,1.118.19,20

Ibid., 1.117.8-10

Ibid., 1.55

Ibid., 1.72.7

Ibid., 1.72. 4-7