The Hindu Temple v1.c6.s5.46

v1.c6.s5.46

⁸⁶ The couples of Ādityas here are not to be taken as being born in pairs. The second name of each pair has no place among the Ādityas, nor independence. It is a hypostasis of its leading name. This is made clear by the identifications of the names of the Devatās, in the 'Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra', XIV. 11-31. The Vedic number of the Ādityas is 7 or 8 (RV. X. 72. 8). Two and two sons were born of Aditi; in addition to the 8 sons of Aditi, the Rudras, Vasus, Maruts, etc., are also designated as Ādityas. In the Ś.B. XI. 6. 3. 8; 'Br. Ār. Up.', IV. 9. 5, and in general later acceptance the number of the Ādityas is 12. They are known generally as presiding over the 12 months of the year; Dr. Shamasastri, 'The Ādityas', 'Indian Antiquary', Vol. XLI. p. 290, and in 'The World Cycle', JISOA, vol. XI. p. 117, considers them as lords of the intercalary months in a cycle of eclipses.