By “Soota said, ‘Then hearing of and seeing his own body, that bird (Garuda) of beautiful feathers diminished its size.’
“Garuda said, ‘Let no creature be afraid; as you are in a fright at the sight of my terrible form, I shall diminish my energy.’
“Soota continued, ‘Then that bird (Garuda) capable of going everywhere at will, that traveller of the skies capable of calling to his aid any measure of energy, bearing Aruna on his back, went from his father’s home and arrived at his mother’s side on the other shore of the great ocean. He placed Aruna of great splendour in the eastern regions, just at a time when Surya had resolved to burn the worlds with his fierce rays.’
“(Rishi) Shaunaka said, ‘When did the worshipful Surya resolve at the time to burn the worlds? What wrong was done to him by Devas that provoked his anger?’
“Soota said, ‘O sinless one (Rishi Shaunaka), when Raahu was drinking Amrita among Devas at the time of the churning of the ocean, he was pointed out to Devas by Surya and Soma, and from that time he (Raahu) conceived an enmity towards those deities. Upon this Raahu sought to eat his afflictor (Surya), became angry and thought, ‘Oh, this enmity of Raahu towards me has sprung from my desire of benefiting Devas. This dire consequence I alone have to sustain. Indeed, at this pass I do not obtain help. Before the very eyes of the residents of heaven (Devas), I am going to be eaten and they tolerate it quietly. Therefore, for the destruction of the worlds, I must strive.’ With this resolution, he (Surya) went to the mountains of the west.
“From that place, he (Surya) began to radiate his heat around for the destruction of the world. Then Maharishis, approaching Devas, spoke to them, ‘Look, in the middle of the night springs a great heat striking terror into every heart, and destructive of the three worlds.’ Then Devas, accompanied by the Rishis, went to the Pitaamaha (Lord Brahma), and said to him, ‘O what is this great heat today that causes such panic? Surya has not yet risen, still the destruction (of the world) is obvious. O Lord (Brahma), what will happen when he does rise?’
“The Pitaamaha (Lord Brahma) replied, ‘Indeed, Surya is prepared to rise today for the destruction of the world. As soon as he will appear he will burn everything into a heap of ashes. By me, however, has the remedy been provided beforehand. The intelligent son of (Maharishi) Kashyapa is known to all by the name of Arunaa (Garuda’s elder brother). He is huge of body and of great splendour; he shall stay in front of Surya, doing the duty of his charioteer and taking away all the energy of the former. This will ensure the welfare of the worlds, of the Rishis, and of the dwellers in heaven. (This can scientifically seen as the Sun emitting high solar flare and Arunaa can be seen as the protective magnetic shield present around the Earth.)’
“Soota continued, ‘Arunaa, at the instruction of the Pitaamaha (Lord Brahma), did all that he was ordered to do. Surya rose covered by Aruna’s person. I have told you now why Surya was in anger, and how Aruna, the brother of Garuda, was appointed as his charioteer. Hear next of that other question asked by you a little while ago.’”
SRIMAD MAHABHARATA – AADI PARVA – AASTIKA (UPA) PARVA – PART 24 – ARUNAA: CHARIOTEER OF SURYA
