Vedic Mythology c5.s1.t3.5

c5.s1.t3.5

In various passages Sūrya is conceived as a bird traversing space. He is a bird (10, 177¹· ²), or a ruddy bird (5, 47³), is represented as flying (1, 191⁹), is compared with a flying eagle (7, 63⁵) and seems to be directly called an eagle (5, 45⁹)¹. He is in one passage called a bull as well as a bird (5, 47³) and in another a mottled bull² (10, 189¹ cp. 5, 47³). He is once alluded to as a white and brilliant steed³ brought by Uṣas (7, 77³). Sūrya's horses represent his rays (which are seven in number: 8, 61¹⁶), for the latter (*ketavaḥ*), it is said, bring (*vahanti*) him. His seven mares are called the daughters of his car (1, 50⁹).