Surya Bhagavan's Family

Lord Surya has ten children. From his wife, Samjna (daughter of Vishwakarma), he had Vaivasvata Manu, Yama, Yami (Yamuna), Ashwini Kumaras, and Revanta. From Chhaya (Samjna's shadow), he had Shani, Tapati, Vishti (Bhadra), and Savarni Manu.

Samjna could not bear Surya’s intense radiance. After the birth of Vaivasvata Manu, Yama, and Yami,  she left her shadow, Chhaya, in her place and went to her father's house. Later, she hid in Uttarakuru in the form of a mare (female horse) to perform penance and gain strength.

Surya, unaware of this, considered Chhaya as his wife Samjna. He had four children with her - Savarni Manu, Shani, Tapati, and Vishti. Chhaya loved her children more but neglected and mistreated Sangya's children. This caused pain to Yama, who complained to Surya about the unfair treatment.

Surya, hearing Yama's concerns, confronted Chhaya. She confessed that she was not Sangya but her shadow.

Surya immediately went to Vishwakarma's house to find Samjna. Vishwakarma told him that Samjna, unable to bear his radiance, had taken the form of a mare and was meditating in Uttarakuru. At Surya's request, Vishwakarma reduced his brilliance to a milder form.

Now with softened energy, Surya in the form of a horse united with Samjna in her mare form. As a result of their union, from her breath, the Ashwini Kumaras.  They became the physicians of the gods. At the same time, Revanta was also born. He became the lord of horses.

Surya’s family was established as follows:

• Vaivasvata Manu: The ruler of the current (seventh) Manvantara.
• Yama: The god of death and justice, rewarding good and bad deeds.
• Yami (Yamuna): Manifested as the sacred Yamuna river.
• Ashwini Kumaras: The divine physicians, also called Nasatya and Dasra.
• Revanta: A devoted servant of Surya and lord of horses.
• Shani: Established among the planets as Shani Graha.
• Tapati: Married King Samvarana of the lunar dynasty and became the ancestor of the Kuru lineage.
• Vishti (Bhadra): Entered the nakshatras as a celestial entity.
• Savarni Manu: Will be the ruler of the eighth Manvantara.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi