Surya (cognate in name to the Greek Helios) is the most concrete of the solar deities. For as his name also designates the luminary itself, his connection with the latter is never lost sight of. The eye of Surya is often mentioned, and Dawn is said to bring the eye of the gods. All-seeing, he is the spy of the whole world, beholding all beings and the good or bad deeds of mortals. Aroused by Surya, men pursue their objects and perform their work. He is the soul or guardian of all that moves and is fixed. He rides in a car, which is generally described as drawn by seven steeds. These he unyokes at sunset:-- When he has loosed his coursers from their station, Straightway Night over all spreads out her garment (i. 115, 4). Surya rolls up the darkness like a skin, and the stars slink away like thieves. He shines forth from the lap of the dawns. He is also spoken of as the husband of Dawn. As a form of Agni, the gods placed him in heaven. He is often described as a bird or eagle traversing space. He measures the days and prolongs life. He drives away disease and evil dreams. At his rising he is prayed to declare men sinless to Mitra and Varuna. All beings depend on Surya, and so he is called "all-creating." Eleven hymns, or about the same number as to Surya, are addressed to another solar deity, Savitri, the "Stimulator," who represents the quickening activity of the sun. He is pre-eminently a golden deity, with golden hands and arms and a golden car. He raises aloft his strong golden arms, with which he blesses and arouses all beings, and which extend to the ends of the earth. He moves in his golden car, seeing all creatures, on a downward and an upward path. He shines after the path of the dawn. Beaming with the rays of the sun, yellow-haired, Savitri raises up his light continually from the east. He removes evil dreams and drives away demons and sorcerers. He bestows immortality on the gods as well as length of life on man. He also conducts the departed spirit to where the righteous dwell. The other gods follow Savitri's lead; no being, not even the most powerful gods, Indra and Varuna, can resist his will and independent sway. Savitri is not infrequently connected with the evening, being in one hymn (ii. 38) extolled as the setting sun:-- Borne by swift coursers, he will now unyoke them: The speeding chariot he has stayed from going. He checks the speed of them that glide like serpents: Night has come on by Savitri's commandment. The weaver rolls her outstretched web together, The skilled lay down their work in midst of toiling, The birds all seek their nests, their shed the cattle: Each to his lodging Savitri disperses.