Goddess Saranyu is the wife of Surya, the sun god in
Hinduism. She was also the Hindu goddess of animals. The popular belief is that
Saranyu is the mother of all animals, including mythic creatures. She is
worshipped as the clouds and the dawn.
From the union of Surya and Saranyu came the horse-headed
Ashwins, as well as the god of death Yama and his sister Yami.
However, Goddess Saranyu was unhappy with her married life
due to the unbearable heat of Surya.
She hid in the wilderness disguised as a
mare to avoid Surya’s intense brilliance. When she left, she disguised her
handmaiden Chhaya in her place.
She was able to remain away for years, until Yama annoyed
Chhaya who kicked him so hard that the child was wounded. This alerted Surya to
the deception of her wife and he found his true wife.