Asura · All traditions · Pan-India

Svarbhanu

The Asura of the Rigveda who pierces the Sun with darkness (RV 5.40). Indra strikes down his magic and the priest Atri finds the Sun again. The Yajurveda texts retell it with the gods striking the darkness off. Later tradition identifies him with Rahu.

Sources: Hymns of the Rigveda, tr. R. T. H. Griffith (1896), hymns read for the Vedic layer; The Veda of the Black Yajus School (Taittiriya Sanhita), tr. A. B. Keith (1914); The Satapatha-Brahmana, tr. Julius Eggeling (Sacred Books of the East 12, 41); Wikipedia: Svarbhanu · see Svarbhanu's web

Relations 1

Svarbhanu rival of

Surya (God) · Svarbhanu darkens the Sun; Rahu and the Sun's anger
Svarbhanu pierces the Sun with darkness.

Stories 1

Svarbhanu darkens the Sun; Rahu and the Sun's anger
Legend · as the Asura who pierces him with darkness · 5 tellings

Cited

Hymns of the Rigveda, tr. R. T. H. Griffith (1896), hymns read for the Vedic layer § 5.40.5-9 Primary text (translation)
The Veda of the Black Yajus School (Taittiriya Sanhita), tr. A. B. Keith (1914) § 2.1.2 Primary text (translation)
The Satapatha-Brahmana, tr. Julius Eggeling (Sacred Books of the East 12, 41) § 5.3.2.2 Primary text (translation)
Wikipedia: Svarbhanu Encyclopedia