A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.384

c5.384

CHHĀYĀ. ‘Shade.’ A handmaid of the sun. Sanjnā, wife of the sun, being unable to bear the fervour of her lord, put her handmaid Chhāyā in her place. The sun, believing Chhāyā to be his wife, had three children by her: Sani, the planet Saturn; the Manu Sāvarni; and a daughter, the Tapatī river. As mother of Saturn, Chhāyā is known as Sani-prasū. The partiality which she showed for these children provoked Yama, the son of Sanjnā, and he lifted his foot to kick her. She cursed him to have his leg affected with sores and worms. This made it clear that she was not Sanjnā and mother of Yama, so the sun went in search of Sanjnā and brought her back. According to one Purāna, Chhāyā was a daughter of Viswakarma, and sister of Sanjnā, the wife of the sun.