42 - Functions of Twelve Adityas

Sūta said: 

1. The lord's chariot is occupied by Devas, Adityas, sages, Gandharvas, heavenly nymphs, Yakshas, serpents and Rakshasas. 

2-3. Dhătri, Aryaman, Mitra, Varuna, Shakra, Vivasvän, Pūşhan, Parjanya, Amśhu, Bhaga, Tvaşhtr and Vişhnu—these are the twelve Sun-gods (Adityas).1 The Sun develops (everyone of Adityas) in the seasons like VaShanta (spring) etc. in due order. 

1. These twelve Adityas (Sun-gods) are supposed to be the portions or ambas of the Sun-god and the twelve forms of Vişhnu. The provision of ages, Gandharvas, celestial damsels, etc. to each (minor) Sun-god is a Purăņic concept of solar paraphernalia. Thc dcities of these attendants (Gandharvas, Apsaras, Yakşhas, sages, etc.) are detailed in this chapter. 

4-5. The sages, expounders of Brahman are Pulastya, Pulaha, Atri, Vasişhtha, Angiras, Bhrugu, Bharadvāja, Gautama, Kashyapa, Kratu, Jamadagni and Kaushika. They, in due order, eulogise the lord (with diverse Vedic mantras, composed) in various metres. 

6-7. The Yakşhas are - Rathakrut, Rathaujas, Rathachitra, Subāhu, Rathasvana, Varuna, Suşheņa, Senajit, Tärkşhya, Arishtanemi, Krutajit and Satyajit. These Yakşhas of the lord of Devas hold the reins of the solar chariot. 

8-9. O leading Brahmaņas, the excellent Rakshasas, who go in front of the Sun-god are in serial order:) - Heti, Praheti, Pauruşheya, Vadha, Sarpa, Vyāghra, Apa, Vāta Vidyut, Divākara, Brahmopeta and Yajñopeta. 

10-11. O Brāhmaṇas, the following serpents bear him in due order viz.- Vāsuki, Kankanila, Takşhaka, Sarvapungava, Elāpatra, Shankhapāla, Airavata, Dhanañjaya, Mahapadma, Karkoțaka, Kambala and Aśhvatara. 

12-14a. O excellent Brāhmaṇas! the following twelve Gandharvas are the master musicians: viz. Tumburu, Nārada, Hāhā, Hūhū, Viśhvāvasu, Ugrasena, Suruci, Arvāvasu, Chitrasena, Urnayu, Dhrutarāshtra and Suryavarchas. With various songs (Sung) in the notes of musical gamut such as of Şhadja (Ruşhabha), etc., they duly sing about the Sun-god. 

14b-17a. Rutusthalā (v.l. Kratusthala) is the most excellent of heavenly damsels. Another one is Puñjikasthala. O excellent Brāhmaṇas other celestial ladies like Menakā, Sahajanya, Pramlochā, Anumlochā, Viśhvāchī, Ghrutāchi, Urvashi, Purvachitti, Rambha and Tilottama - all these propitiate the great lord Bhānu, the eternal immutable Atman, by different kinds of Tāņdava dance in the Vasanta and other seasons in due order. 

17b-18. Similarly, Devas reside in the Sun each devoting (a period of) two months in due order. They nourish the Sun, the storehouse of splendour, by their brilliance. With words of prayer composed by them, the sages eulogise the Sun-god. 

19. The Gandharvas and Apsaras worship him by singing songs and performing dances. The presiding deities of villages -(Grāmaņīs), Yakşhas and Bhūtas hold the reins. 

20. The serpents bear the lord of Devas; the Yåtudhānas go ahead of him. The Valakhilyas (thumb-sized sages) surround the rising Sun and go along with him till Sunset. 

21. They are glorified as those who give heat, shower rain, shine, blow, create, and annihilate the inauspicious activities of living beings. 

22. These followers of the Sun accompany the Sun as he moves on in heaven. They are always seated in the aerial chariot that has the velocity of wind and that can go wherever it wishes to go. 

23. They protect all living beings in due order of Yugas (v.l. end of Yugas) by showering rains, giving heat and by delighting the people. 

24. Lord Sun gives heat in accordance with the virility, penance, yogic power and the inherent vigour of Devas. 

25. That Prajāpati (Lord of subjects) is the cause of demareation of night and day. The Sun nourishes perpetually the Pitrus, Devas, human beings and others. 

26. The great lord, the radiant Sun, is Lord Maheśhvara himself. The eternal blue-necked lord (Shiva) of those who know the Vedas, shines forth. 

27. It is this god who is the progenitor of the world, Parameşhthin. The knowers of the Vedas, the embodiments of the Vedas know that his abode is in the Sun-god Aditya.