RATHA SAPTHAMI (Surya Jayanthi).... (Concept-Significance-Customs & Traditions-Merits etc....) Ratha Sapthami also known as Magha Sapthami or Maha Sapthami is a highly auspicious Sun centric festival dedicated to the Sun God Sri Surya Narayana. It occurs on the seventh day of the bright fortnight during the lunar month Magha Masam that coincides with the calendar months January-February. This day also known as Surya Jayanthi is the day Sun God considered as an incarnation of Lord Sri ManNaaraayana had taken birth to the divine couple Aditi and Sage Kasyapa. Literally Ratha means a chariot. Sapthami is a lunar day (thithi) occurring on the 7th day of both fortnights (sukla and krishna paksha). At the time of division of constellations, each lunar day or thithi was attributed to one deity. In the process Sapthami thithi was allotted to Sun God and hence it is his favourite day. Sun (Surya) is the presiding deity of the lunar day Sapthami. On the day of Ratha Sapthami, northern movement of Sun is supposed to take definite effect of his journey towards the northern hemisphere after his transit into Makara Raasi on Makara Sankramana Day. Traditionally, Ratha Sapthami is depicted as the day Sun God will be riding over a chariot having seven horses driven by Anoora (brother of Garuda) the charioteer who has no feet. It is regarded as the day on which the chariot of Sun God is diverted towards north and move towards north east direction bringing entry of the spring season. Chariot of Sun is depicted as having only one wheel that represents the Kaalachakra and the seven horses represent seven colours of light (VIBGYOR); seven horses also represent seven days in the week starting from Sunday (Aaditya vaara/Bhanu vaara) the day dedicated to Sun God. Entire Kaalachakra or wheel of time is established on the wheel of the Sun-Gods chariot. This wheel is known as Samvatsara. Following slokas from Suryaashtakam establishes above concepts. Sapthaaswaratha-maroodam prachandam kasyapathmajam Swethapadmadharam devam tham suryam pranamamyaham Bandhooka pushpasankasam harakundala bhushitham Ekachakradharam devam tham suryam pranamamyaham Sun (Surya) is a God; a living God; Aadi Daivam; Sanatana; whom everyone can see, perceive and pray. Though he is visible, he has been presented in a variety of forms also. He is the divine light, life-giver and time-giver. Vedas adore him as a witness of all actions (Karma Saakshi). Brahmaswaroopo udaye madhyahnethu Maheswaraha Asthakale swayam VishnuH Trayimoorthi Diwakaraha A visible God; Sun is worshiped as Thrimoorthi Swaroopa, personification of three Trinal Lords – Brahma; Vishnu and Maheswara. Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram (sloka # 94) describes Lord Vishnu as Ravirvirochanah Suryah Savitaa RaviLochana, the One who is the Sun Himself, who glitters always and makes the Sun shine (He is the light that illumines the Sun), the one who creates the worlds, and the one who has Sun for his eyes… Chaksho! Suryo Ajayatha (Purusha Sooktha), Sun has born from the eyes of Lord SriManNaaraayana, he is also called Surya Narayana. Sun is also expressed as Savitha (Savithre Namah) that we come across in Gayathri Manthra. Savitha also means the most sacred among all the elements of sanctity. He is Savithrunaamaka Surya Naaraayana. Sun God is known by several other names, popularly… Surya; Aaditya; Mithra; Ravi; Savitha; Arka; Bhaskara; Marichi; Diwakara; Prabhakara; Bhanu; Vivasvatha. He is worshiped as Pratyaksha Daivam, perceivable God. Lord Sri Rama was born in Surya Vamsam; Ikshvaku dynasty whose family deity was Sun God, Surya Narayana. Famous hymn on Sun God, Aaditya Hridayam was narrated to Lord Sri Rama by Sage Agasthya to energize Him in the battle against Ravanasura. Yudhishtira (Dharmaraja) the elder brother of Pandavas got the Akshaya Paathra (bowl) after worshiping Sun. Kunthi Devi mother of Pandavas worshiped Lord Sun before giving birth to Karna by virtue of a boon given by Sage Duurvaasa. Sathraajith (father of Sathyabhaama wife of Lord Sri Krishna) was blessed with Syamanthaka Mani after worshiping Sun God. Saambha, son of Lord Sri Krishna and Jambavathi, got rid of his Leprosy after worshiping Sun. Thus we find several pouranic references to Sun worship. Bheeshma Pithamaha waited for this sacred day of Ratha Sapthami and had his last breath on the day after Ratha Sapthami called Bheeshmaashtami. Vivaswatha who is son of Sun God is the seventh Manuvu in whose name the present Manvanthara is named after being called as Vaivaswatha Manvanthara, period in which we are currently living. Lot of significance is given to Sun worship during this Manvanthara. Ratha Sapthami is considered as Vaivaswatha Manvaadi, the day current Vaivaswatha Manvanthara had commenced. Hindu religion considers Sun as a vital God to be worshiped. Several Vedic verses on Sun are incorporated into Nithya Vidhi (mandatory daily routine) like Sandhyavandana, Surya Namaskara, Gayathri japa, Surya Arghya etc. Sun is called Namaskara Priya; He blesses the devotees who offer him a simple namaskara with all humility and devotion. That is how Surya Namaskara a yogic prakriya related to Sun has become very popular. Surya Namaskara is a special physical exercise dedicated to the worship of Sun God that we observe being practiced by the devotees early in the morning before Sunrise. Sun worship is prevailing and being followed since time immemorial. Some of the useful prayers related to Sun are Suryaashtakam, Aaditya Hrudayam, Gayathri, Surya Sahasranama etc. Sun worship will be very effective if it is done at the time of Sunrise. Worship of Sun on Sunday is believed to bring manifold benefits to the worshipers. Phala sruthi of Sun related stothras says that Sun worship is Navagraha peeda parihara; bestows progeny for the childless; helps in coming out of poverty; cures illness and gets rid of health problems haunting for the past seven births. Sun God is considered as the health giver; Arogyam Bhaskaraddhichhett. Sun rays have healing power. Sun promotes in human beings their physical, mental and spiritual abilities. Sun grants individuality and will power. He is the destroyer of darkness, sins and afflictions. Worshiping Sun God on the day of Ratha Sapthami is highly sacred and meritorious. Dhyeyassada Savithrumandala madhyavarthi Narayana Sarasijasana Sannivishtah Keyuuravaan Makarakundalavaan Kireeti Hari Hiranmaya Vapuhdhruta Sankha Chakrah Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu nAham kartA hariH kartA to be continued...
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 13:41:47 +0000
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