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Book Review
A hymn to Sun in the Ramayana
V.N. VEDANTA DESIKAN
ADITYA HRDAYA STOTRAM: Govindarajar’s commentary with Tamil, English, and Telugu translations: Edited by V. Sowmyanarayanan and others. Ananth Publications, 6-40, Padmavatipuram, Thiruchanur Road, Tirupati 517503. Rs. 75.
The Yuddha Kanda (chapter 107) of the Valmiki Ramayana embodies a hymn to Sun-god. This was given specially by Sage Agastya, who came to the battlefield for the purpose. Rama was indeed a great hero of proved valour. Nevertheless the sage wished to “energise” him, so to say, and perhaps incidentally give to humanity a potential method of pleasing the Sun and attaining various rewards. There are 31 verses, mostly in the shortest metre, and employing simple expressions. The present edition, a slim volume, would cater to a vast readership, by virtue of four languages serving as the vehicle.
Role of Sun
The role of the Sun in human life and development is most fascinating. Quite a number of religions deify him as a god. Even rationalist thinkers are not averse to sporting his name in some form. Though Indian astronomy is traditionally geocentric, it was the Sun which gave rise to the planets, nourishes life on the Earth, and potentially solves our energy problems. Examine the names, such as Savita, Surya and Rasmibhavana. The Gayatri mantra employs the first name. It implies that the Sun “delivered” the Earth and other planets as well. The name Surya implies that it motivates men. Yes, we are induced, energised, motivated to act, by the Sun, after its rise every day. The reading of the whole hymn would provide many interesting thoughts on human dependence on Sun-god.
Commentary
The commentary quotes frequently from scriptures to explain the names of the Sun. He is all gold. This is the explanation for “Suvarna sadrusa”. Incidentally, the Chandogya Upanishad (1.6.6 ) would imply that Brahman is all gold and Vedanta would imply that the Sun has the character of Brahman. Indeed the Upanishad and Brahma Sutra commentaries would indicate identity between Lord Vishnu and Sun-god; that is how many verses used in Sandhya rituals too identify. In fact, the morning prayer meditates on Brahma, the noon prayer on Siva and the evening meditation is on Vishnu — but all seated in the solar globe.
That Rama, as an incarnation of Vishnu, worshipped and pleased Sun-god is thus not out of place. Lord Vishnu is called Tridhama, which implies that Vishnu resides in three places: Vaikunta, the milky-ocean and the solar globe. One then fails to understand how some tend to regard this chapter as an interpolation. However, the chief commentator, Govindaraja himself does comment, but notes that Udaari did not comment on this canto, whatever be the reason.
After ritualistically initiating Rama, the sage assures Rama, “You would surely win in the battle.” He then disappeared. Rama acted as per the wish of the sage. When he started on his mission, the Ramayana text says that Sun-god, surrounded by all the celestials, appeared before him, and gave him an encouraging word to “speed up”. Sun-god knew, according to the text, that the end of Ravana was imminent and certain! No wonder this hymn has inspired generations of people for ceremonial recitation for all kinds of prosperity. All the different authors of the helpful explanations, in different languages, deserve our thanks.
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