A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1590

c5.1590

SANJNĀ. ‘Conscience.’ According to the Purānas, she was daughter of Viswa-karma and wife of the sun. She had three children by him, the Manu Vaivaswata, Yama, and Yamī (goddess of the Yamunā river). “Unable to endure the fervours of her lord, Sanjnā gave him Chhāyā (shade) as his handmaid, and repaired to the forests to practise devout exercises.” The sun beheld her engaged in austerities in the form of a mare, and he approached her as a horse. Hence sprang the two Aswins and Revanta. Sūrya then took Sanjnā back to his own dwelling, but his effulgence was still so overpowering, that her father, Viswa-karma, placed the sun upon his lathe, and cut away an eighth part of his brilliancy. She is also call Dyumayī, ‘the brilliant,’ and Maha-vīryā, ‘the very powerful.’