Aruna

Aruna is the personification of the reddish glow of dawn, revered as the charioteer (Sārathi) of Surya, the sun god. His name derives from the Sanskrit root 'aruṇa' meaning 'reddish' or 'ruddy', directly linking him to the hues of the rising sun. In Vedic literature, Aruna is not a major deity but appears in the Rigveda (e.g., Rigveda 1.115.1) as the herald of dawn, driving the sun's chariot drawn by seven horses. The Mahabharata (Adi Parva) expands his myth: Aruna is the elder son of the sage Kashyapa and Vinata, born prematurely from an egg.

Because his mother broke the egg too early, he was cursed to be legless, and thus he serves as Surya's charioteer, seated without legs. His younger brother is Garuda, the mighty eagle and mount of Vishnu. According to the Skanda Purana, Aruna's role is to filter the sun's intense rays, protecting the world from being scorched. Iconographically, Aruna is depicted with a red complexion, holding the reins of Surya's horses, and often shown without legs, seated or standing in the chariot.

He symbolizes the transition from night to day, the messenger of light. In regional traditions, especially in Odisha, Aruna is worshipped as a guardian deity at the Sun Temple of Konark, where the main structure is shaped as his chariot. In Tamil Nadu, he is associated with the Surya Narayana temples. Aruna's role in Hindu cosmology is as the eternal charioteer who guides the sun's daily course, maintaining cosmic order (Ṛta).

His presence in the Puranas and epics underscores the importance of dawn as a sacred time for prayer and meditation. The mantra 'Om Aruṇāya namaḥ' is chanted to invoke his blessings for clarity and energy at the start of the day.

Depicted without legs (according to legend, he was cursed while still embryonic). Red complexion, holding reins of Surya's horses.