Shloka 16
The Orbit of the Sun, the Measure of Day and Night, and the Sun-God’s Chariot
पुरस्तात्सवितुररुण: पश्चाच्च नियुक्त: सौत्ये कर्मणि किलास्ते ॥ १६ ॥
purastāt savitur aruṇaḥ paścāc ca niyuktaḥ sautye karmaṇi kilāste.
Though Aruṇadeva sits before the sun-god, engaged in driving the chariot and restraining the horses, he nevertheless gazes backward, toward the sun-god Himself.
In the Vāyu Purāṇa the position of the horses is described:
FAQs
Aruṇa is described as the charioteer of the Sun-god (Sūrya/Savitā), appointed to the service of driving the Sun’s chariot.
The verse emphasizes Aruṇa’s fixed appointment in the Sun’s chariot service—depicting his position relative to Sūrya in the cosmic arrangement described in Canto 5.
It highlights niyoga (appointed duty) and steadiness in service—an attitude devotees apply by performing their responsibilities as dedicated service to the Lord’s order.