[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c7.438 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.438 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c7.438 - **Language:** English ### [c7.438](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.438) Night is called Uṣā and day Vyuṣṭi and the time in between is Sandhyā. When Sandhyā begins the terrible Rākṣasas called Mandehas attempt to consume Sūrya. They have been granted the boon that everyday they will be dying though they may not be losing their bodies. So, everyday there rages a fierce fight between them and Sūrya. When the fight is on, noble brahmins throw up water sanctified by Gāyatrī mantra with ‘Om’. The water turns into Vajrāyudha and burns the Rākṣasas to ashes. The first offering in Agnihotra is made with the recitation of the mantra beginning ‘Sūryo Jyoti’ because of which the sun is able to shine with thousands of rays with the result that the Rākṣasas are burned to death. The Bālakhilyas who number more than 60,000 form Sūryā’s body-guard. (See under Sūrya for Purāṇic stories about him). - [Previous: c7.437](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.437) - [Next: c7.439](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.439) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.438](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.438) · Pramāṇa