In the depths of winter, the Sun takes on a coppery hue; during the cold season, it appears red. These shifting colors of the Sun, arising from the changing seasons, have long been observed and declared by the wise. The Sun’s colors and the nature of each season are not merely for show—they are the means by which the Sun brings prosperity and abundance to the world. Now, listen as the common names of the Sun are revealed, O best of the twice-born. There are twelve distinct names: Āditya, Savitṛ, Sūrya, Mihira, Arka, Prabhākara, Mārtaṇḍa, Bhāskara, Bhānu, Citrabhānu, Divākara, and Ravi. These are the names by which the Sun is known among people. But there are twelve divine aspects as well: Viṣṇu, Dhātṛ, Bhaga, Pūṣan, Mitra, Indra, Varuṇa, Aryaman, Vivasvān, Aṃśumān, Tvaṣṭṛ, and Parjanya. These twelve are remembered as the Ādityas, established separately, each rising in order with the twelve months of the year. In the month of Caitra, it is Viṣṇu who shines; Aryaman radiates in Vaiśākha; Vivasvān in Jyeṣṭha; and Aṃśumān is remembered in Āṣāḍha. Parjanya brightens Śrāvaṇa; Varuṇa rules Prauṣṭhapada; Indra glows in Āśvayuja; and Dhātṛ in Kārttika. Mitra shines in Mārgaśīrṣa; Pūṣan, the illuminator, in Pauṣa; Bhaga is known in Māgha; and Tvaṣṭṛ shines in Phālguna. Each Āditya blazes with a distinct number of rays: Viṣṇu with twelve hundred, Aryaman with a thousand and three hundred, Vivasvān with twice seven, and Aṃśumān with five and three. Parjanya, Varuṇa, and Aryaman shine like Vivasvān. Tvaṣṭṛ, like Mitra, shines with a thousand and a hundred rays; Indra with twice six; Dhātṛ with eleven hundred rays. Mitra shines with a thousand rays, Pūṣan with nine hundred. As the Sun moves northward, its rays increase; as it moves southward, they decrease. Thus, the thousand rays from the Sun’s realm bring grace to all. These twenty-four names have been declared in detail, and another thousand are proclaimed as well. O Lord of creatures, what merit and supreme path belong to those who praise the Sun with this thousand names? Hear, O best of sages, the eternal essence: it is enough to recite this auspicious hymn of a thousand names. The names, secret, pure, and auspicious, are now revealed—listen to those of Bhāskara. He is Vikartana, Vivasvān, Mārtaṇḍa, Bhāskara, Ravi, the illuminator of the worlds, glorious one, the eye of the world, and great lord. He is the witness of the worlds, lord of the three worlds, creator, destroyer, dispeller of darkness, the burning one, the tormentor, pure, with seven horses as his vehicle. With rays as hands, he is Brahmā, worshipped by all the gods. These twenty-one names are the cherished hymn to Ravi. The Sun is the giver of bodily health, bestower of wealth and fame, known as the king of hymns, and renowned in the three worlds. Whoever, O best of twice-born, praises the Sun at dawn and dusk, at sunrise and sunset, having become pure, is freed from all sins. Whatever is mental, spoken, physical, or born of action—all that is destroyed by a single recitation in the presence of the Sun. Recitation of a single mantra, offering oblations, worship at twilight, incense mantras, water offering mantras, and mantras for sacrificial offerings—all are honored and auspicious. In giving food, in charity, in prostration, in circumambulation, this great mantra is revered; it removes all sins and bestows auspiciousness. Therefore, O twice-born, with effort and devotion, praise this boon-giving god with this hymn, for he grants the fruits of all desires. At this point, a question arises: The god, devoid of qualities and eternal, whom you have described as the Sun, has been born again in twelve forms, as we have heard from your words. But how did the radiance, the rays, the great brilliance of the Sun arise in the womb of a woman? This is a cause of great doubt. Daksha had sixty excellent daughters: Aditi, Diti, Danu, Vinata, and others. Of these, thirteen maidens were given to Kashyapa; Aditi gave birth to the gods, rulers of the three worlds. Diti and Danu bore fierce demons, proud and powerful; Vinata and the others gave birth to various stationary and moving beings. Thus, O sage, the entire world was filled by their sons, grandsons, and descendants—both of them and those women. Among the sons of Kashyapa, the principal groups of deities are known as sattvic; others are rajasic, and others tamasic. The creator, Prajapati, supreme among knowers of Brahman, made the gods, the enjoyers of sacrifices, and rulers of the three worlds. The Daityas and Danavas, together with their co-wives, opposed them, and the sons were driven away by the Daityas and Danavas. Seeing the three worlds destroyed, Aditi, O best of sages, was afflicted by hunger and cut off from the shares of sacrifice. For the worship of Savitṛ, she undertook the highest effort, with single-mindedness, regulated diet, and strict discipline. She praised the mass of radiance, the Sun dwelling in the sky, offering salutations to the one who bears the supreme, subtle, most virtuous, incomparable brilliance—the lord of those possessing brilliance, the eternal foundation of brilliance. For the benefit of the worlds, Aditi praised him, the protector of cows, and bowed to that intense form which he assumes when taking. Thus, the story of the Sun’s names, forms, and origins unfolds, revealing the sacred path of devotion and the blessings bestowed by the radiant lord.