Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami
From the book “Sri Vraja-maṇḍala-parikramā”:
It was winter when Kṛṣṇa subdued Kālīya. Kṛṣṇa, who was performing His human-like pastimes (nara-līlā), came out of the water, shivering due to cold. He climbed upon a nearby small hill (ṭīlā) and basked in the heat of the sun. To serve Kṛṣṇa, the devotee Sūryadeva relieved His shivering by shining forth the full scorching heat of the complete sun in its twelve aspects (dvādaśa kalā). This place is therefore known as Dvādaśāditya-ṭīlā.
Rajashekhara Dasa
From the book “Chaurasi-kosa Vraja Mandala Parikrama”:
After spending a long time in the water while subduing the serpent Kaliya Naga, Krishna was feeling very cold and came here to this hill (Dwadashaditya-tila), to lie down for some time in the sunshine. Understanding that the Lord was feeling rather chilly and was also shivering due to being cold, all the twelve (dwadasha) forms of the sun god known as the Adityas, appeared there and provided their combined heat in order to warm Krishna’s body. Thus this hill became known as Dwadashaditya-tila and the place on top of the hill where Krishna rested became known as the Dwadashaditya Yoga-pitha. Another name that is used to describe this same place is ‘Dwadasha-surya-tirtha’, which means the ‘holy place of the twelve suns’ and located just below the hill is Surya Ghata, where Shrimati Radharani used to come and offer flowers to Surya, the sun-god.
The Bhakti-ratnakara says, “Raghava then pointed out Dvadasaditya-tirtha, which according to the Puranas fulfills the desires of all men. There is no doubt, whoever takes a bath in this holy place on a Sunday, which is the last day of the month, gets the satisfaction of having his desires fulfilled. Pointing out one hill, Shri Raghava told Shrinivasa that after chastising Kaliya in the Kaliya Lake, Krishna came to that place. When the twelve sun-gods understood that Krishna was very cold they increased their heat to warm the Lord. The Vraja-vilasa-stava says, “I eternally take shelter of this holy place, Dvadasasurya, where magnanimous Murari was stricken with cold. He who is always engaged in wonderful pastimes, surrounded by affectionate men, women, and lowing cows, was then served by twelve suns, who with great devotional love and ecstasy gave intense heat to warm the Lord.”
