Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.863

c4.863

4) Aruṇa became charioteer of Sun. The Sun and the Moon betrayed to the Devas Rāhu, who waited at the entrance of Devaloka to snatch off the Nectar (Amṛtam) got at the churning of the sea of milk (Kṣīrābdhi). Thenceforth Rāhu does often swallow the Sun and the Moon. That phenomenon is called the eclipse (of the Sun or Moon. Sūrya-grahaṇa and Candra-grahaṇa). Enraged by these frequent attacks of Rāhu, the Sun-God began once to burn like anything. Murmuring that everyone would cooperate when there was something to be achieved, but would go on their own way when the object was achieved, the Sun-God began burning so virulently as to destroy all living forms, and the Devas were frightened by this and took refuge in Brahmā. Brahmā called Aruṇa and asked him to stand as charioteer in front of the Sun-God everyday so that the Sun's intensity might be reduced. From that day onwards Aruṇa has been functioning as the charioteer of the Sun. (M.B., Ādi Parva, Chapter 24, Verses 15-20).