Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.2858

c9.2858

3) The Vedic figure of the Sun. Even though the sun is only one of the seven groups, he is above the others in prominence. The complete power of Viṣṇu is the three Vedas Ṛg, Yajus and Sāma. The power in the form of the three Vedas blazes in the form of the Sun. That power destroys all the sins in the world. Viṣṇu stays inside the sun in the form of Ṛg, Yajus and Sāma for the Sustenance and protection of the world. As said before, the three Vedas are the parāśakti, or the feminine supreme power of Viṣṇu. She is the three Vedas themselves. Every month she stays inside that particular Āditya of the month. In the morning the Ṛgveda praises the Sun. At noon the Yajurveda praises the Sun and in the evening the Sāmans such as Bṛhad Rathantara and so on. The three Vedas Ṛg, Yajus and Sāman are portions of Viṣṇu. This power of Viṣṇu stays in Āditya always. It stays not only in the Sun, but also in the three godheads Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva. At the time of creation Brahmā was pervaded by Ṛg. At the time of sustenance, Viṣṇu is pervaded by Yajus. At the end Rudra will be pervaded by Sāman. So the sound of Sāman will be unpalatable. Thus this Vaiṣṇavite power which is having the attribute of purity (Sattva) and Vedas, pervades mainly the sun though it remains on the seven groups also. Being the seat of this power, the Sun blazes with its rays and destroys the darkness in all the worlds.