When the Pandavas were exiled, many of Yudhisthir's advisors followed him into the forest. As a king, Yudhisthir's primary duty was to feed the guests, but, under the circumstances, food was hard to procure even for his family. He, then, prayed to Suryanarayana to resolve his dilemma. Suryanarayana was pleased with Yudhisthir and gave him the Akshay paatra.
This is only a small portion from the Stuti that Yudhisthir offered to Suryanarayana. Notice the innumerable qualities of the Sun, extolled in these six succinct lines.
त्वं हंसः सविता भानुरंशुमाली वृषीकपिः ।
विवस्वान् मिहिरः पूषा मित्रो धर्मस्तथैव च ।।
सहस्त्ररश्मिरादित्यस्तपनस्त्वं गवाम्पतिः ।
मार्तण्डोऽर्को रविः सूर्यः शरण्यो दिनकृत् तथा ।।
दिवाकरः सप्तसप्तिर्धामकेशी विरोचनः ।
आशुगामी तमोघ्नश्च हरिताश्वश्च कीर्त्यसे ।।
You are known as the personification of purity, creator of the universe, that which gives light, the protector of dharma, that which is omnipresent, the one who makes the rain fall, that who nourishes, who is friendly to all, who has a thousand rays, the son of Aditi, the one who provides heat, the one who should be worshipped, the source of all produce, the protector of those who take refuge, one who creates the day, that which brings forth the day, the one who rides seven horses, who has brilliant rays, that who is effulgent, that who moves rapidly, the destroyer of darkness, who has green coloured horses.
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