Significance of Dwadasha Adityas / 12 Adityas / 12 Sun Gods
Rathasapthami happens to be Surya Jayanthi. It is celebrated all over India on the seventh day of the bright half of Magha with great pomp and glory. It marks the turning of the Sun-God towards the northern hemisphere in a north-eastern direction. It heralds the onset of the spring. It is also said that sage Bhishma breathed his last breath on Ekadashi, four days after Rathasapthami.
The Sun God is worshipped on this day and milk is boiled before the rising Sun till it overflows and offered to the Sun. Interestingly, there is also a custom, especially in the Telangana region, of mothers-in-law offering new clothes to their daughters-in-law and serving them with a feast.
Stotras like
- Adityahridayam,
- Suryashtakam,
- Surya Sahasra Nama and
- Gayathri mantras
are recited.
Rathasapthami – “Mini- Brahmotsavam”
On this day in Tirumala, several processions of Sri Malayappa Swami along with His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken out from morning till evening.
The day starts with
- ‘Surya prabha vahanam followed by
- Chinna Sesha Vahanam,
- Garuda Vahanam,
- Hanumantha Vahanam,
- Chakrasnanam,
- Kalpa-vriksha Vahanam,
- Sarvabhoopala Vahanam and ends with
- Chandra Prabha Vahanam.
It is like a sort of “Mini- Brahmotsavam”.
Significance of the Sun
What is the significance of the Sun for us both scientifically and from the perspective of astrology?
He is the source of life on the earth. In the absence of the Sun and its heat and light, the earth would freeze into an ice-ball without life; bacteria and viruses would spread a million-fold causing the annihilation of life.
The Sun is also the source of energy for the earth. Space explorations have discovered other forms of light such as ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays erupting from the Sun and scientists are worried that their variations might affect the future climate of the earth. With the damage to the Ozone layer, the radiation from the Sun is likely to reach the earth and affect our climate as well as our health.
Our ancients have discovered the significance of the Sun for life on the earth and worshipped Him as a God for the health, longevity and prosperity of mankind. Astrologically, the Sun assumes a vital role in guiding the destiny of human lives.
As the Sun moves from one planet or constellation of stars called Raashi to the other, its impact on the humans born in different raashis varies. It appears the Sun stays in each raashi for a month and completes his cycle of movements through twelve raashis in a year.
Sun – Aditya
The Sun is referred to as Aditya in our scriptures. He is the son of Aditi and Sage Kashyapa. He is regarded as the embodiment of consciousness that is vital to the evolution of life. The Sun-God awakens us from inertia. He arouses our consciousness.
In the dhyana shloka of Gayatri mantra “Dhyanam dhyeyassadaa savitru mandala madhyavarthee…”, prayer is offered to Lord Vishnu stationed in the middle of the solar orb with the conch and discus. He wears crowns, armlets (keyura), crocodile-shaped eardrops (Makara Kundalas) and pearl strings.
In the Vaishnava tradition, it is Lord Vishnu who gives brightness to the Sun and Moon. Annamayya describes Lord Vishnu in a sankeertana, “talachi joochinanu surya chandrulanu lali vedajalledu lakshanudu.”
In the Bhagavad Gita (10-21) Lord Krishna says that he is Vishnu among the Adityas: “Adityaanaamaham Vishnuh”. Lord Sri Rama could defeat Ravana because of his initiation into Aditya Hridayam by Sage Agastya on the battlefield.
Dwadasha Adityas
The Rigveda refers to seven Adityas besides Martanda, the eighth one. They are named Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman, Daksha, Bhaga, Amsha and Savitr. The eighth Aditya, it appears, was rejected by Aditi. Rigveda adds Vivasvaan as the eighth Sun.
The Bhagavata refers to twelve Adityaas regarded as the Dwadashaadityaas. They are considered manifestations of Lord Vishnu. In each month, one of these Adityaas shines as the Sun-God. They control the celestial constellations and guide the proper functioning of the universe.
According to astrology, Nakshatras are the forces of universal wisdom and control the destiny of human lives.
Adityaas is supposed to manage these stars. Regarding the Bhagavata, it is said that the order of twelve Adityas and their ruling months are as follows:
- Dhata— Chaitra,
- Aaryama—Vaisakha,
- Mitra— Jyeshta,
- Varuna—Ashadha,
- Indra— Shravanam,
- Vivasvan—Bhadrapada,
- Tvashta—Ashwayuja,
- Vishnu— Kartika,
- Anshuman—Margashirsha,
- Bhaga—Pushya,
- Pusha—Magha and
- Parjanya—Phalguna.
Dhata
Dhata, or Dhatr as the creator emerges from Vishnu, the source of consciousness. He rules in the month of Chaitra and his associates are Krutasthali, Heti, Vasuki, Rathakruttu, Pulastya, and Tumburu.
Aryama
He is the Lord of Uttara Phalguni star. He is associated with Mitra and Varuna as a triad and represents determination, perseverance and rules of the society. His journey is towards perfection and light. His associates are Punjikasthali, Pulaha, Ojassu, Praheti, Narada and Kanjaneera.
Mitra
Mitra is the Lord of Anuradha star and is regarded as the personification of the morning star. He brings peace and justice to the lives of the people. His associates are Menaka, Pourasheya, Takshaka, Rathaswana, Atri and Haha, a Gandharva.
Varuna
Varuna is the Lord of Shatabhisha star and represents the setting sun and forms the three worlds: the heavens, the earth and intermittent space. He causes rain and helps the evolution of life. He is also regarded as the keeper of law and order. His associates are Rambha, Shukrachittu, Sahajanya, Huhu, Vasishta and Sruna.
Indra
Indra as the Sun-God has Vishwavasuvu, Shrota, Elaputrudu, Angirasa, Pramlocha, and Charyudu as the associates.
Vivasvan
He is the eighth son of Aditi and was cast away by his mother born with a deformity. He is also called Martanda. He is associated with Pluto which represents misfortune and deprivation. His associates are Anumloda, Ugrasena, Vyaghra, Asarana, Bhrigu and Shankhapala.
Tvashtha
Tvashtha is the ‘heavenly builder’ that makes divine tools and is the guardian of Soma. He is also the grandfather of the twins Yama and Yami which represent dharma and karma. Their father is Surya. He is the God of confidence as well as punishment. His associates are Jamadagni, Kambalashva, Tilottama, Brahmapeta, Shatajittu and Dhritarashtra.
Vishnu
In the early Rig Veda texts, Vishnu was only one of the Adityas. But, later he was regarded as the most powerful Gods and one of the trinity of gods representing absolute consciousness.
His associates are Ashvatara, Rambha, Suryavarcha, Satyajittu, Vishvamitra and Makhapeta. Vishnu as the Sun God, Asvatara as the Naga, Rambha as the Apsara, Suryavarca as the Gandharva, Satyajit as the Yaksa, Visvamitra as the sage and Makhapeta as the Raksasa rule the month of Urja.
Anshuman
Anshuman represents the duality of manifestation. His associates are Kashyapa, Taarkshya, Ritasena, Urvashi, Vidycchatra and Mahashankha.
Bhaga
Bhaga assures ‘marital bliss and prosperity’ as well as affluence. He controls Purva Phalguni star. His associates are Sphoorja, Arishtanemi, Oornuvu, Aayuvu, Karkotaka and Purvajitta. Ritu as the Yaksa, Varca as the Raksasa, Bharadvaja as the sage, Parjanya as the Sun-God, Senajit as the Apsara, Visva as the Gandharva and Airavata as the Naga rule the month known as Tapasya.
Pusha
Pusha, or Pushan stands for “the reason for people to prosper”. It also has a mythic significance as a guardian of livestock. It is believed he guides us and the cattle to the path of the other world. His associates are Dhanunjaya, Vaata, Sushena, Suruchi, Ghritaachi and Goutama.
Parjanya
Parjanya stays in the mists. He causes rain by controlling the beams and mists. His associates are Varcha, Bharadwaja, Parjanya, Senajittu, Vishwa, and Airavata.
Glorious Forms of Vishnu
All these are the glorious forms of Vishnu. While the saints associated with Adityas recite the Vedas, gandharvas play music, the apsarasa dance, the nagas surround the chariot, the yakshas calculate the distance, and the giants push the chariot from behind. 60 thousand Brahmin saints called Valakhilyas offer their praise in front of the Sun God.
Thus, the Sun travels in all directions with his six types of associates spreading purity of consciousness among the inhabitants of this universe.
108 names of the Sun
According to the Brahma Purana, chanting the following 108 names of the Sun at dawn and dusk relieves us of all our sins and ensures good health.
- 1) Surya, Archana, Bhagavana, Tvashta, Pusha, Arka, Savita, Ravi, Gabhastimana, Aja, Kala, Mrityu.
- (2) Dhata, Prabhakara, Prithivi, Jala, Teja, Akasha, Vayu, Parayana, Soma, Brihaspati, Shukra, Budha.
- (3) Angaraka, Indra, Vivasvana, Diptamshu, Shuchi, Shouri, Shanaishvara, Brahma, Vishu, Rudra, Skanda, Vaishravana.
- (4) Yama, Vaidyuta, Jathara, Agni, Aindhana, Tejohapti, Dharmadhvaja, Vedakarta, Vedanga, Vedavahana, Krita, Treta.
- (5) Dvapara, Kali, Sarvasurashraya, Kala, Kashtha, Muhurta, Kshapa, Yama, Kshana, Samvatsara, Ashvattha, Kalachakra.
- (6) Vibhavasu, Shashvata, Purusha, Yogi, Vyaktavyakta, Sanatana, Kaladhyaksha, Prajadhyaksha, Vishvakarma, Tamonuda, Varuna, Sagara.
- (7) Amsha, Jimuta, Jivana, Ariha, Bhutashraya, Bhutapati, Sarvalokanamaskrita, Shrashta, Samvartaka, Vahni, Sarvadi, Alolupa.
- (8) Anata, Kapila, Bhanu, Kamada, Sarvotamukha, Jaya, Vishala, Varada, Sarvabhutasevita, Mana, Suparna, Bhutadi.
- (9) Shighraga, Pranadharana, Dhanvantari, Dhumaketu, Adideva, Aditinandana, Dvadashatma, Ravi, Daksha, Pita, Mata, Pitamaha.
Let us pray to the Sun every day morning and evening to ward off all viruses and be assured of good health.
