The Surya Siddhanta

One might ask: if the sky itself is all-pervading, why is a specific deity invoked? To this, the author responds: "To the forms who are the support of the entire universe." This means He whose forms are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—the agents of creation, preservation, and destruction—serves as the foundation for the entire world, both stationary and moving. Since the physical sky lacks these conscious roles, the divine is distinct.

One might then suggest that it is proper to meditate upon the form of such a being. To this, the author says: "To Him whose form is inconceivable and unmanifest." He is "inconceivable" because He cannot be the object of meditative focus. The reason for this is His "unmanifest form." Because His true nature is not perceptible or manifest, a humble salutation (bowing) is the only appropriate response.

Why is His form unmanifest? The author explains: "To Him who is without qualities." This means He is beyond the three gunas Gunas: the three fundamental qualities of nature—Sattva (goodness), Rajas (passion), and Tamas (darkness). Since manifest forms require these qualities, His lack of them renders Him unmanifest.

Does this imply He has no nature at all? The author clarifies: "To Him whose essence is quality." Here, "qualities" refers to eternal knowledge and bliss which constitute His very self. This aligns with the sacred scripture original: "Shruti" which states: "Brahman is truth, knowledge, and infinity." Thus, while He is directly "without qualities" (in a material sense), He is indirectly the "essence of quality" (in a spiritual sense). How else could the creation of the universe be possible?

As the Lord Himself has said:

"Leaning upon My own nature, I send forth again and again
this entire multitude of beings, who are powerless under the control of nature."
This is a quotation from the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 9, Verse 8.

So say the other commentators. || 1 ||

Now, regarding the concern that this work might be merely a human invention—