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Story of Samjna, Wife of Surya - the Sun God

Samjna is the wife of Surya, the sun god in Hinduism. She was the daughter of Vishwakarma, the divine architect. However, Samjna 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.



Soon Surya discovered his wife’s secret and transformed himself into a stallion to have intercourse with her.

Samjna in the form of mare turned her face to him; he breathed upon her and she conceived through her nose.

From their union came the horse-headed Ashwins, as well as the god of death Yama and his sister Yami.

Samjna agreed to return to Surya, but first she had Vishwakarma, her father, trim away some of Surya’s rays to diminish his brightness.