Let me tell you, O wise ones, of the wondrous company that attends the sun’s celestial chariot as it journeys across the heavens. This resplendent vehicle is presided over by a host of divine beings: the gods, Adityas, venerable sages, Gandharvas and Apsaras, mighty chiefs, serpents, and formidable Rākṣasas. All these gather together, each pair taking their turn for two months, dwelling with the radiant sun and nourishing the auspicious Bhāskara with their unique energies. The sages, with their composed and sacred words, praise Ravi, the sun, while the Gandharvas and Apsaras worship him through dance and melodious song. The chiefs, Yakṣas, and spirits assemble their weapons in readiness; the serpents bear the sun upon their coils, and the Yātudhānas follow in his wake. At sunrise, the Vālakhilyas surround the sun, guiding him towards his setting, and thus, each pair of these beings dwells with the sun for two months in turn. The months themselves are named: Madhū and Mādhava, Śukra and Śuci, Nabhas and Nabhasya, Iṣa and Ūrja, Sahas and Sahasya, Tapasya and Tapah—these twelve months together comprise the human year. The seasons that arise are Vasanta (spring), Grishma (summer), Varsha (rainy), Sharad (autumn), Hemanta (early winter), and Shishira (late winter). Among the deities presiding over these times are Dhata, Aryaman, Mitra, Varuna, Indra, Vivasvan, Pushan, Parjanya, Anshu, and Bhaga. Alongside them are Tvashtri and Vishnu, and the sages Pulastya, Pulaha, Atri, Vasishta, Angiras, and Bhrigu, foremost among the wise. Further, there are Bharadvaja, Gautama, Kashyapa, Kratu, Jamadagni, Kaushika, and serpents like Vasuki and Kankanikara. The serpents Takshaka, Naga, Elapatra, Shankhapala, and Airavata, as well as Dhananjaya, Mahapadma, and Karkotaka, are named. Kambala, Ashvatara, Tumburu, and Narada, the eminent musicians, are also present. Haha and Huhu, the foremost sages, Vishvavasu the excellent Asura, Ugrasena, Suruchi, and Paravasu, Citrasena of great brilliance, Urnayu steadfast in vows, Dhritarashtra, Suryavarcha, and the goddess Kritasthala herself—all are counted among the sun’s attendants. Among the divine Apsarases are Shubhanana, Shubhashroni, Punjikasthala, Menaka, Sahajanya, Pramlocha, Shucismita, Anumlocha, Ghritachi, Vishvachi, Urvashi, Purvachitti, and Tilottama. Rambha, Ambhojavadhana, Rathakrit, Gramani, Rathoja, Rathachitra, Subahu, and Rathasvana are also present. Varuna and Sushena, Senajit, Tarkshya, Arishtanemi, Kshatajit, and Satyajit are among the noble leaders. Rakshoheti, Praheti, Paurushaya, and Vadhah, along with the serpent, tiger, water, wind, lightning, and the sun, are counted among the powerful beings. Brahmopeta, lord of the Rakshasas, and Yajñopeta, are also present. All these deities and others reside in the sun in due order, forming twelve groups of seven members each, presiding over their respective stations. The twelve deities, from Dhata to Vishnu, are thus proclaimed. The foremost sages, beginning with Pulastya and ending with Kaushika, fill the supreme sun with their radiance. These twelve, in due order, praise the sun with hymns, and the auspicious serpents, from Vasuki to Ashvatara, do likewise. Twelve bear the Great God in due order, ending with those radiant as the sun, with Tumburu and others at their head, like water-bearers. The twelve foremost Gandharvas, beginning with Kṛtasthala and ending with Rambhā, and the divine Apsarases, worship the sun with songs, as do all the divine leaders, from Satyajit to Rathakṛt, who honor him with graceful Tāṇḍava dances. In the same order, twelve-faced beings gather their weapons, and those led by Rakṣoheti, devoted to sacrifice, proceed together. These twelve, armed as well, are Rākṣasas in due order: Dhātā, Aryaman, Pulastya, Pulaha, and Prajāpati. Uraga and Vāsuki, and also Kaṅkaṇīka; Tumburu and Nārada, the two foremost Gandharvas in singing; Kṛtasthala and Puñjikasthalā among the Apsarases; Grāmaṇī and Rathakṛt, and the two Rathojas; Rakṣoheti and Praheti among the Yātudhānas. This group of Madhū and Mādhava dwells in the sun. During the two summer months, Mitra and Varuṇa, the sages Atri and Vasiṣṭha, and Takṣaka the serpent, dwell in the sun. Menakā and Sahajanyā, the Gandharvas Hāhā and Hūhū, Subāhu, the two Grāmaṇīs, and the two Rathacitra are also present. Pauruṣeya and Vadha, named among the Yātudhānas, dwell in the sun during the two months Śuci and Śukra. Then, other deities take their place: Indra, Vivasvān, Aṅgirā, and Bhṛgu. Elāpatra and the serpent Śaṅkhapāla, Viśvāvasu and Ugrasena, Varuṇa, and Rathasvana join them. Pramlocā and Anumlocā, renowned Apsarases, as well as Yātudhānas, a serpent, and Vyāghra, are also present. The group of Nabha and Nabhasya months dwells in the sun, including Parjanya, Pūṣā, Bharadvāja, and Gautama. Dhanañjaya and Irāvān, Suruci and Aparāvasu, Ghṛtācī the foremost Apsaras, and Viśvācī, exceedingly beautiful, are counted among them. Thus, O twice-born ones, each pair of divine beings, sages, Gandharvas, Apsaras, serpents, and Rākṣasas, in their appointed times and stations, dwell with the sun, nourishing and honoring him through their hymns, dances, songs, and energies. The sun’s journey is ever attended by this celestial assembly, who uphold the order of months, seasons, and the year, filling the radiant Bhāskara with their brilliance and devotion.