Puṣan
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Puṣan literally means ‘the nourisher’.
Characteristics of Puṣan are:
- Puṣan or Puṣā is one of the twelve aspects of the Sun, known as the Adityas or Dvādaśādityas.
- He represents the nourishing and life-supporting aspect of the Sun.
- He is exceedingly beautiful.
- He wears a cakra or a discus with which he destroys the evil ones.
- He is ever eager to protect his votaries.
- He looks upon all with an equal eye and is very generous.
- He has been eulogized in eight suktas of the Rgveda.[1][2][3][4]
- According to paurāṇic legends, he was present at the sacrifice of Dakṣa.
- When Vīrabhadra, an emanation from Rudra, attacked and destroyed Dakṣa’s sacrifice, Puṣan was one of the victims who lost his teeth.[5]
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore