Diffusing glory with your rays, you have scaled the shining realm of heaven. By you are supported all things that are, O God, All-Creator, essence all-divine. § RIG VEDA 10.170.4 § |
The sun reaches its zenith in the the attainment of plenitude, which our artists shows in the harvesting of fields in the background, and as a man in the foreground in the prime of life, experiencing fulfillment and self mastery.§
Blossoming
When a man is born, whoever he may be, there is born simultaneously a debt to the Gods, to the sages, to the ancestors, and to men.§
When he performs sacrifice, it is the debt to the Gods which is concerned. It is on their behalf, therefore, that he is taking action when he sacrifices or makes an oblation. §
And when he recites the Vedas, it is the debt to the sages which is concerned. It is on their behalf, therefore, that he is taking action, for it is said of one who has recited the Vedas that he is the guardian of the treasure store of the sages. §
And when he desires offspring, it is the debt to the ancestors which is concerned. It is on their behalf, therefore, that he is taking action, so that their offspring may continue, without interruption. §
And when he entertains guests, it is the debt to man which is concerned. It is on their behalf, therefore, that he is taking action if he entertains guests and gives them food and drink. The man who does all these things has performed a true work; he has obtained all, conquered all.§
YAJUR VEDA, SHATAPATHA BRAHMANA 1.7.2§
The sacrifice is man. It is man [who offers it] because it is man who spreads it out and because, in being spread out, it assumes exactly the same stature as man. For this reason, the sacrifice is man.§
YAJUR VEDA, SHATAPATHA BRAHMANA 1.3.2.1§