chhaya

Chhaya is a Sanskrit word meaning "shadow" or "shade." In Hinduism, Chhaya is also personified as a goddess, the wife of the sun god Surya and the mother of Saturn (Shani) and sometimes Yama. She is often depicted as a dark or dusky goddess, symbolizing the transition between light and darkness. Chhaya is associated with the moon and the night, and she represents concealment and mystery.

In Hindu mythology, Chhaya is sometimes conflated with the goddess Sandhya, who is also a consort of Surya. However, Chhaya is distinct in her maternal role to Shani, whose birth is often attributed to her. The story of Chhaya's life is intertwined with her husband Surya's divine duties and her children's destinies. She is sometimes portrayed as a patient and enduring figure, bearing the challenges of her divine marriage and family life.

Beyond her mythological significance, the concept of "chhaya" in a broader sense refers to anything that casts a shadow. This can be a physical object blocking light, or it can be used metaphorically to represent something that obscures or hides the truth. The idea of chhaya appears in various philosophical and spiritual contexts within Indian traditions, highlighting the interplay between presence and absence, visible and invisible.