South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c12.s2.4

c12.s2.4

The image of the Sun-god, according to the Āgamas, is always to be placed in the centre of the Planets, looking eastward. Round, red, and decorated with red flowers, he must be clothed in garments of variegated colours with flags on his car. The car must have one wheel, drawn by seven horses and be driven by the charioteer Aruna who is represented without legs. The Sun is supposed to be a Kshatriya (sometimes, a Brāhmana) born of the sage Kasyapa. He is the lord of the Kalinga country,¹ wears a mail armour (kavacha) and robes in the northern fashion.² According to the Matsya-Purāna, he is represented seated (or standing) on a lotus seat, holding lotus flowers in his hands and is ever engaged in going round and round the mountain Mēru (fig. 143). His banner is the lion. This is the description of the Sun as the chief of Planets. But within the flaming Orb is recognized the god Nārāyana (Vishnu) whose body is golden, who assumes the forms of Brahmā in the morning, Mahēśvara (Siva)³ in the midday and Vishnu in the evening. In this composite form he is seated on a lotus pedestal with crocodile ear-rings (makara-kundala) and a crown and exhibits in his hands the conch and discus and all the characteristic weapons of the Trimūrti. An illustration from Chidambaram (fig. 144) evidently represents Sūrya as composed of Brahmā, Mahēśvara and Vishnu, though the symbols held in the hands do not clearly indicate the same. On the pedestal are shown seven horses driven by Aruna, who, though believed to be without legs, is here represented with them.