Sprang

AROSE

Think of a past tense verb meaning "got up" that also fits the phrase "the sun ___ in the east."

"Sprang" is a past tense of "spring," meaning to jump or move suddenly, but it also hints at the past tense of "arise." The answer "AROSE" fits because it’s another way to say "sprang up" or came into being, playing on the idea of rising. Crossword clues often use synonyms or alternate meanings, and here "sprang" cleverly points to a less obvious but equally valid past-tense verb.