Common questions about IAS, our mission, and how you can be part of this spiritual movement.
Wife of Surya Dev in Hinduism
Surya Dev has two principal wives in Hindu mythology:
1. Sanjna (संज्ञा) — Also known as Saranyu. She is the daughter of Vishwakarma in many traditions.
2. Chhaya (छाया) — Sanjna's shadow or substitute, who remained with Surya when Sanjna could no longer bear his intense radiance.
👨👩👧 Their Children
- Sanjna's children: Vaivasvata Manu, Yama, and Yami (Yamuna), according to traditional accounts.
- Chhaya's children: Shani Dev, Savarni Manu, and Tapti, in commonly cited accounts.
Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya. Its exact historical origin is uncertain, and the stories about its beginnings belong to religious and folk traditions.
Who is Usha in Hinduism?
Usha (उषा) is the Vedic goddess of dawn, representing the arrival of daylight and the awakening of life.
- Meaning: Dawn, daybreak, or the first light of morning.
- Connection to Surya: Usha heralds the sunrise and is praised in the Rigveda as the bringer of light.
- Symbolism: Hope, renewal, awakening, and the victory of light over darkness.
- Vedic significance: Usha is a goddess in her own right, not simply another name for Surya.
Chhathi Maiya is a revered goddess worshipped during Chhath Puja, especially in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
- Meaning: Mother Goddess associated with Chhath Puja.
- Connection to Surya Dev: She is worshipped alongside Surya Dev for health, prosperity, well-being, and the welfare of children.
- Religious association: In popular traditions, she is associated with Usha (goddess of dawn) and Pratyusha (goddess of dusk), although beliefs vary by region.
- Symbolism: Purity, motherhood, protection, gratitude, and the life-giving power of nature.
Who created Surya Dev in Hinduism?
According to Hindu mythology:
- Father: Sage Kashyapa (महर्षि कश्यप).
- Mother: Aditi (अदिति).
- Creator of the universe: In many Hindu traditions, Brahma Ji is regarded as the creator of the universe and its beings, including the Devas.
The deeper philosophical view: In Hinduism, Surya is also understood as a manifestation of the supreme divine reality. In some traditions, the Sun's cosmic origin is described through the primordial universe rather than an individual creator.
Do you mean Yuddha Kanda (युद्ध काण्ड) from the Hindu epic Ramayana?
Yuddha Kanda means “The Book of War” in Sanskrit.
- Yuddha (युद्ध): War or battle.
- Kanda (काण्ड): Section, chapter, or book.
It describes the great battle between Lord Rama and Ravana, including Hanuman's role, the defeat of Ravana, and Sita's reunion with Rama.