He moves swiftly and with great force, traversing the celestial circles. Within his radiant path, a host of divine and powerful beings take their places. Gandharvas and Apsarases, chiefs, mighty serpents, and Rākṣasas all dwell there. Among them are Dhātā, Aryaman, Pulastya, Pulaha, and Prajāpati, as well as Rathakṛt and Rathaujā, and the Yakṣas, all renowned in the celestial realms. Also present are Rakṣa, Heti, Praheti, and the Yātudhānas. Mitra and Varuṇa, together with the sage Atri, are named among those who reside in the sun. Two Rākṣasas are known to be there, as well as the formidable Pauruṣeya weapon. Rathacitra and another, Nāgasākṣaka, are also counted among these dwellers. There are yet others—divine beings who inhabit the sun itself. Elāpatra, a serpent of renown, and both Śaṅkhapālas are present. The illustrious Apsarases, Pramlocā and Anumlocā, are also known by these names. This assembly dwells in the sun, belonging to the sky and the celestial regions. Parjanya, Pūṣā, Bhāradvāja, and Gautama are among their number, as are the auspicious Apsarases, Viśvācī and Ghṛtācī. Ścenajit, Suṣeṇa, Senī, and Grāmaṇī are also present. All these reside in the sun, especially during the sacred months of Āśvina and Kārtika. Aṃśa and Bhaga, together with Kaśyapa and Kratu, also take their place in the sun. Citrāsena the Gandharva and Ūrṇāyu are among them, as are Tārkṣa and Ariṣṭanemi, Senānī and Grāmaṇī, Sahe and Sahasya—all these dwell within the sun’s realm. Tvaṣṭā, Viṣṇu, Jāmadagnya, and Viśvāmitra, too, are counted among the sun’s hosts. The Gandharva Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Sūryavarcas are present, as well as Yajñāpetam and Viśyāta, the foremost of Rākṣasas. The eminent sages Tapas and Tapasyā also dwell in the sun. It is Savitar who causes the turning of day and night, O twice-born. There are twelve and seven groups, each with their own domain. The sages praise the sun with words of their own composing. The Grāmaṇīs, Yakṣas, and Bhūtas assemble to collect the offerings, while the Vālakhilyas surround the setting and rising sun. All these beings act according to righteousness, propriety, truth, and strength. Thus, they reside in the sun, two by two months at a time, and so do the Grāmaṇyas, Yakṣas, and chief Yātudhānas. It is declared that these beings remove the inauspicious deeds of creatures, dispelling misfortune for those who act well, wherever they may be. They bring rain, heat, and delight to all living beings. This is the station of those proud of their place, enduring through the Manvantaras. All these groups exist here throughout the fourteen Manvantaras. The sun moves according to the seasons, with revolving rays, nourishing gods, ancestors, and humans alike. In the bright fortnight, on the full day, the gods drink the sun’s essence in order; in the dark fortnight, the ancestors partake of that nectar, as do the gods, the gentle ones, and the Kāvyas. Thus, the sun’s journey is attended by these hosts, sustaining the worlds in their ordained ways.