CHAPTER 19
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SUN
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THE Sun, the causeof day and night, the centre of all life, force, energy and giver of Prana to all beings has achieved much importance since ancient times almost all over the world. During the Neolithic age, he was worshipped in the fonn of numerous round symbols. The Europeanscalled the Sun,Apol1o, whom the Greeks adored asthe Sun-God. In Iran, Mithra, the God of Light, is th~ SuncGod. The Chinese regarded the Sun as the prime dispeller of evil spirit~'as they thought that infinite evil spirits play in darkness. In Japan, Dhyani Buddha, the great Sun, is the ultimate Buddha-reality. According to the Mexicans, the Sun is "Impalnesohuani", which means"He by whom men live". The Egyptians took the Sun asthe governing deity ashe causesupward and downward currents of ether and the annual waters of rain. The Chaldeans also worshipped the Sun. The Hindus prayed to the Sun thrice a day. Every Sunday, SuryaNamaskarais done by many personseventoday to regain their lost vitality. Whenever the Sun enters into certain significant zodiacs, the Hindus perfonn religious functions. They celebrate Sankranti when the Sun, after reaching the southern declination in the south, commences its northern course. Tamil New Year's Day is also celebrated when the Sun crosses the fixed Nirayana Vernal Equinox and enters Aries. The Christians celebratethe Christmas on that very day when the Sun changesits course in the sky and startsgaining power. Sundayswere given holidays probably to worship this God of the sky. In the Rig Veda,the greatnessof the Sun is beautiful1y described. The Hindu Triad can be traced to the Sun in his triple aspectof producing fonns by his genial heat, preserving them by his light, and destroying