Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 17
The Orbit of the Sun, the Measure of Day and Night, and the Sun-God’s Chariot
तथा वालिखिल्या ऋषयोऽङ्गुष्ठपर्वमात्रा: षष्टिसहस्राणि पुरत: सूर्यं सूक्तवाकाय नियुक्ता: संस्तुवन्ति ॥ १७ ॥
tathā vālikhilyā ṛṣayo ’ṅguṣṭha-parva-mātrāḥ ṣaṣṭi-sahasrāṇi purataḥ sūryaṁ sūkta-vākāya niyuktāḥ saṁstuvanti.
De même, il existe soixante mille sages appelés Vālikhilyas, chacun de la taille d’une phalange de pouce ; placés devant le dieu Soleil, ils le glorifient par des prières d’une éloquence sacrée.
FAQs
In Canto 5, they are described as sixty thousand tiny sages (thumb-joint sized) appointed to stand before Sūrya and praise him with Vedic hymns.
Śukadeva explains that Sūrya’s cosmic function is supported by dedicated attendants; the Vālikhilyas are specifically engaged to offer regulated Vedic praise as part of the divine order governing the sun’s course.
It highlights disciplined service (niyukta—being appointed and steady) and the power of sacred sound: consistent, reverent glorification of the Lord’s energies fosters gratitude, order, and devotion.