Elements of Hindu Iconography v3.c18.18

v3.c18.18

As we have already seen the Ādityas are twelve in number; and each of them is said to preside over a month of the year. Their names are given variously in various works; and a good many of them agree in naming them in order as Dhātri, Mitra, Aryaman, Rudra, Varuṇa, Sūrya, Bhaga, Vivasvān, Pūshan, Savitri, Tvashtri, and Viṣṇu. The image of each of these twelve Ādityas is described in the Viśvakārma-śāstra; and the description in so far as it relates to their hands and the objects to be carried in them, may conveniently be summarised in the form of a table thus:—