Among those who are learned in the Vedas, the eternal blue-throated Lord shines resplendent, his glory unmistakable. The knowers of the Vedas recognize a profound truth: that this sacred place, this radiant presence, is none other than the Sun himself, the very embodiment of the Vedas. It is the Lord of time—divine in form—who governs and regulates the ever-flowing river of time. Within his domain, seven rays stand foremost, serving as the sources from which the planets draw their power. Among these rays, one is known as Viśvavyacā, and another, the supreme among them, is called Saṃyadvasu. The ray named Supumna nourishes the gentle, cool radiance that soothes the world, while Harikeśa is said to sustain the stars above. Viśvavyacā, steadfast and constant, always nourishes Venus, and the seventh ray, Surāṭ, bestows its strength upon Saturn as well. These rays continually grow and increase in their potency, and as they do, they bring nourishment to all. The Sun, lord of both brilliance and darkness, draws all these rays into himself—encompassing within his light all that is mobile and immobile, the waters of rivers, and much more. Out of these, four hundred wondrous channels pour forth, each with its own marvelous form. All these rays are called ‘nectar’, for they produce the life-giving showers that sustain the earth. The rays known as ‘moon’ are golden in hue, while those named ‘shukra’ are of three kinds, each producing heat in its own way. With this nectar, the Sun satisfies the gods in three different ways, ensuring their sustenance and delight. During winter and the cold season, he releases frost through three of his rays. In the month of Chaitra, the ray called Dhata presides; in Vaishakha, it is Tapana. When Shravana arrives, the ray Vivasvan shines forth, and in Praushthapada, Bhaga takes its turn. In Margashirsha, the ray is called Mitra, and in Pausha, the eternal Vishnu himself presides. The god Pushan possesses six thousand rays, and the ray Saptabhis matches this abundance. Vivasvan protects with ten rays, while Bhaga does so with eleven. Vishnu, the creator of all worlds, shines with six thousand rays as well. In winter, the Sun appears copper-colored; in the cold season, his hue turns red. The Sun bestows immortality, nectar, and the threefold qualities in three distinct ways. Mars, Mandha, Rahu, and Ketu are also counted as the eighth group, moving in their ordained order, independent of the Sun’s path. It is the wind, called Pravaha, that carries them along their courses. Ten are joined on the left and right, and thus the moon is so named. O foremost among Brahmins, know that the cycles of decrease and increase are always fixed and constant. The inner fullness of the other is continually replenished, day after day. O Brahmins, the Sun shines forth with a single ray called Suṣumnā. On the day of the full moon, this radiance is seen in its completeness, growing day after day. The gods themselves partake of this, drinking the ambrosial essence as their food. In the afternoon, the hosts of ancestors receive the remainder, partaking in turn. This pure, ambrosial, and meritorious essence—the moon—is of the very nature of nectar. Having attained the highest satisfaction each month, the ancestors remain content and fulfilled. Thus, O best of men, it is due to the Sun that there is both decrease and increase, waxing and waning, in the world. The Sun’s chariot, yoked with lotuses, moves everywhere, spreading his light and blessings across all directions.